Study Reveals Many Renters May be Unprepared
in the Event of Fire Emergency and Should Take Key Steps to Help
Protect Their Home and Family
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 14,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As moving season heats up across
the United States, a recent study
reveals an ongoing need to educate renters about fire safety in
their homes. Resideo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: REZI) with
its First Alert products, the most trusted brand in fire safety*,
released the results of a nationwide online survey of adult renters
and identified that a significant percentage claim not to have a
smoke alarm in their home or test their alarms regularly**.
As moving season heats up, a recent study
reveals an ongoing need to educate renters about fire safety in
their homes.
Results also revealed inconsistencies with recommended safety
best practices. Among those renters claiming to have smoke and/or
carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in their homes, 47% say they test them
one to two times per year, and 23% report never testing their
devices. Only 16% of survey respondents test their alarms monthly.
Renters who never test their alarms explain the primary reason is
that they forget (32%) or were not aware they were supposed to test
the devices (27%) at all.
The study also identified some positive trends, as nearly
three-quarters (72%) claim fire safety is important to them, and
nearly two-thirds (60%) claim they would be able to operate a fire
extinguisher in case of need.
Residential rental property owners and their tenants share the
responsibility to ensure adequate protection against the threats of
smoke and fire. Smoke alarms are widely required across housing
types in the United States, and
many jurisdictions further require CO alarms. Working together,
property owners and tenants may establish regular maintenance like
battery replacement and equipment testing schedules to help reduce
risk.
"Signing a new lease or renewing a current one is an opportune
time for property owners and tenants to take inventory of their
alarms and make sure they are working properly," said Ashley Gocken, First Alert fire safety expert,
Resideo Technologies. "We encourage property owners and managers
and their tenants to take this time to talk about fire safety,
align on responsibilities and to refresh their knowledge of what to
do in case of an emergency."
First Alert offers the following fire safety tips to help guide
discussions between property owners and tenants, ultimately
ensuring that both parties are ready for the unexpected:
- Every level, every bedroom. The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) recommends that smoke alarms be installed on
every level of the home, including the basement, and inside each
bedroom. It's also important to keep CO, known as the "silent
killer," in mind. CO is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas
that can be potentially poisonous. The only way to detect a CO leak
is with working CO alarms, which should be installed on every level
and near all sleeping areas.
- Test and maintain: Once alarms are installed, it's
important to maintain them by testing them regularly and replacing
the batteries at least every six months. For a battery that lasts
the life of the alarm and for convenient protection, install
10-year sealed battery alarms, like the First Alert 10-Year Sealed
Battery Smoke and CO Alarm. 10-Year sealed battery alarms eliminate
the need to replace the batteries for and late-night battery chirps
for a decade.
- Alarms don't last forever: Be sure to replace outdated
units. If you cannot remember the last time you installed an alarm,
chances are, it's time to replace it. Alarms are on duty 24/7 and
need to be replaced every 10 years.
- PASS the fire extinguisher: Beyond alarms, having fire
extinguishers – and knowing how to use them – is an important part
of maintaining a safe residence. When you need to act quickly, a
simple way to remember is with the acronym PASS. Simply pull the
pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger
and sweep from side to side. Place fire extinguishers in common
areas such as the kitchen, the garage and on every level of the
home. Once your home is properly equipped, check to make sure that
they're in working condition and are not damaged, dented or
rusted.
Properly installed and regularly maintained fire safety
equipment is key to maintaining a safe household. For more
information about whole home safety, visit firstalert.com.
*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, March
2023 – Results are based on the responses of 1,043 adult
homeowners, ages 25 and older, living in the United States who completed an online
survey.
**First Alert Renters Fire Prevention Survey, March 2022 – Results are based on the responses
of 1,012 adult renters, ages 18 and older, living in the United States who completed an online
survey.
About Resideo
Resideo is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of
technology-driven products and solutions that provide comfort,
security, energy efficiency and control to customers worldwide.
Building on a 130-year heritage, Resideo has a presence in more
than 150 million homes, with 15 million systems installed in homes
each year. We continue to serve more than 110,000 professionals
through leading distributors, including our ADI Global Distribution
business, which exports to more than 100 countries from nearly 200
stocking locations around the world. For more information about
Resideo, please
visit www.resideo.com.
About First Alert
First Alert®, America's most
trusted and recognized safety brand, is owned by Resideo
Technologies, Inc., (NYSE: REZI) a leading manufacturer and
distributor of smart home solutions that provide comfort, safety,
security, energy efficiency and controls to customers worldwide.
First Alert offers a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon
monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders in more than
30 countries worldwide to help protect what matters most. For
more information, visit firstalert.com, resideo.com and
brkelectronics.com.
Media Contacts:
Sara Camp
L.C. Williams & Associates
P: 312-565-3900 or 800-837-7123
E: scamp@lcwa.com
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SOURCE Resideo Technologies, Inc.