Central Arkansas gets two storm seasons: a busy spring and a second round in late fall. Tornado watches, power outages and the odd lightning-sparked fire are part of life here. The good news is that most of being ready happens long before the sirens.
Twice a year, on the clock change
- Test every smoke alarm and replace batteries in battery-only units.
- Consider hardwired, interconnected alarms with battery backup so they still work when the power goes out.
- Check the fire extinguisher gauge is in the green and it is mounted where you can reach it.
- Walk your family's two ways out of every room, including upstairs bedrooms.
In the kitchen
Hang a fire blanket beside the stove. If a pan catches, pull the tabs and lay it over the fire. It is faster and cleaner than an extinguisher for small grease fires.
Upstairs and in older homes
An escape ladder that hooks over the window sill gives every upstairs bedroom a second exit. In older houses, an electrical fire prevention sensor can warn you about overheating wiring before it becomes smoke.
Your safe spot
Pick an interior room on the lowest floor and keep shoes, a flashlight, water and a charged phone battery there. Saline County emergency alerts are worth signing up for too.
From the rows
First Alert Hardwire Smoke Alarm
A hardwired alarm with battery backup that interconnects with the others, so one warning sounds through the whole house.
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Rated for A, B and C fires, with an easy-to-read gauge and a wall bracket for the kitchen, garage or shop.
Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket
Hang it by the stove and pull the tabs to smother a small pan fire in seconds, with no powder to clean up.
Kidde Fire Escape Ladder
A folding ladder that hooks over most window sills and gives an upstairs bedroom a second way out.
Electrical Fire Prevention Sensor
An early-warning sensor that watches for overheating wiring, a smart add-on for older homes and rentals.
Security Window and Door Alarm
Peel-and-stick sensors that chime when a door opens or sound a loud alarm when you want one. Handy for back doors, sheds and kids' windows.
