Fire Safety Tools to Always Have, According to Experts

Regardless of where you live, the devastating, ongoing wildfires that have affected the greater Los Angeles metro area have likely been on your radar. Outside of relief and donation efforts, the wildfires have brought the topic of fire safety to the top of the nation’s attention, which left many seeking out safety tools to have on hand in case of an emergency. To help ensure you and your home are as safe as possible in the event of a fire, we spoke with two experts, William E. Koffel, a fire safety expert who is accredited by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and Caileigh Peterson, the spokesperson and Radio Safety Specialist for Midland.

“In the event of a fire, having a plan in place ensures that you and your loved ones can respond quickly and effectively, guaranteeing everyone is safe,” Peterson shares. “This includes building a ‘go kit’ of essential items, like water, medicine, and first-aid supplies to use while you’re on the go.”

Both Koffel and Peterson provided recommendations that can help prevent fires, contain fires, stop fires from spreading, and safety tools to help you navigate the emergency properly. Below you’ll find their top picks, including must-have tools from Midland, Kiddle, and SentrySafe from $8.

Fire Safety Expert Emergency Picks   

Midland ER210 Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio

“Whether you experience a house fire or are threatened with a wildfire, utilizing tools like NOAA Weather Radios are key to staying aware of danger,” Peterson says. “When a fire warning is issued by the National Weather Service, you’ll be alerted right away through visual and audio alerts.” This Midland emergency radio is built with three different power sources (solar, hand crank, and a rechargeable battery) so you can use it during a power outage. It also comes equipped with a LED flashlight, NOAA weather scan, AM/FM radio, and bright digital display. Plus, its compact size makes for easy storage in your purse or an emergency bag.

First Alert Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms are non-negotiable items to have in your home, as they are crucial to notifying you when smoke from a potentially dangerous fire is present. “Almost three out of every five fire deaths from fires in homes occur in homes with no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm,” Koffel explains. This alarm from First Alert requires one 9-volt battery to operate, and it has a convenient front access compartment to make replacing batteries a breeze. It also has a test/silence button that guarantees it is in working shape, and an end-of-life warning to notify you when it needs to be replaced.

Kidde Multipurpose Home Fire Extinguisher

“Having a fire extinguisher easily accessible is key to preventing the spread of indoor fires,” says Peterson. While having a fire extinguisher at home is great, Koffel also stresses that knowing how to use the extinguisher is crucial and reminds us that it should not be used as a replacement for calling the fire department in the event of a serious emergency. The Kiddle home fire extinguisher is designed with a large gauge, so you know when it’s ready to use, and it can spray as far as 8 feet in 8-12 seconds once the lever is pulled.

Threshold 6-Piece Modern Bath Towels and Washcloths Set

Towels may be the last thing on your mind when you’re dealing with a house fire, but Koffel notes that this common household item has great use in an emergency. “A towel can be used to place under the closed door to potentially provide some additional time,” he shares, adding, “A face cloth, especially a wet one, can help one when they are exposed to smoke or hot air from the fire.” This set of bath towels includes two washcloths, two hand towels, and two bath towels made from 100 percent terry cotton fabric, which provides a plush, soft, and comfortable feel.

Kiddle 3-Story Fire Escape Ladder

If you have a home with more than one story, a portable fire escape ladder, like this one from Kiddle, is worth having on standby. “A portable escape ladder provides a safe escape route for those who may be threatened by fires that prohibit them from safely exiting through the front or back door,” Peterson says. This Kiddle ladder measures 25 feet long and features 1-foot, anti-slip metal rungs that can hold up to 750 pounds per rung. The heavy-duty, metal hooks attach to most windows, which allows you to quickly escape to safety.

SentrySafe Fire-Resistant and Water-Resistant Box Safe

When a disaster or an emergency occurs, you’re often racing against the clock and may not have time to properly grab important items. This SentrySafe box safe can keep all of your documents, photos, heirloom jewelry, and other items safe in one place so you can grab it and go. It’s constructed to withstand 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour, and is fully waterproof for up to 72 hours. For passports, birth certificates, photos, etc., the safe is spacious enough to hold letter-size hanging files and folders, too.

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector & Explosive Gas Alarm

Though not a fire detection device, the Kiddle duo carbon monoxide and explosive gas alarm can alert you of other issues in your home that could lead to a fire. The carbon monoxide detector can “identify when fuel-fired appliances are not working properly,” Koffel notes, and further adds that a gas alarm can “identify when a gas leak occurs to allow one to take action before a fire occurs.” The two-in-one alarm plugs into your wall, but it also has a backup 9-volt battery that keeps it running during a power outage. It’s also equipped with a digital LED display plus an 85-decibel alarm that notifies you when carbon monoxide or explosive gas is present.

Jeld-Wen Molded Composite Interior Door Slab

You may be wondering—how is a door going to save me during a fire emergency? Though most homes have doors to separate rooms from hallways or one another, some homes, especially open concept ones, may not, which can pose a serious danger if a fire is present. “The ability to close a door behind you when you escape a room in which there is a fire or to close a door to separate you from the fire can result in an increase in the available safe escape time,” Koffel explains. If your home is without interior doors in some areas, it may be worthwhile to put a few up, like this molded composite one. It’s made with recycled materials and has a woodgrain surface with carved-out details that not only make it functional but also helps enhance your home’s aesthetic. And if you’re worried about measurements, the door is available in a wide variety of options that range between 18-inch by 80-inch and 36-inch by 78-inch sizes.