This weekend as we set our clocks back an hour, please be sure to change your smoke detector batteries. The fire service recommends changing them when the time changes to avoid that annoying chirping sound at 2 AM in the morning.
This recommendation is based on research and the inability to tell how long the batteries you bought were on the store shelf before your purchase. Commonly, a battery should last a full year but to be safe, they suggest it is better to change it twice.
Below is a post I put out to my Realtors a few weeks ago during "National Fire Prevention Week". It also applies to individuals so I was asked to re-post it so everyone could read it.
Many found the title to be catchy and that was the intent. The title of that post and the new slogan for the fire service is:
Put a BEEP where you SLEEP !
My husband has been in public safety for decades and asked me to share this with you. This week is "National Fire Prevention Week". As we go into the fall season and people begin firing up their furnaces, wood stoves and fireplaces; there is an increased danger of residential fires.
Every year, you see it on TV; a family or community dealing with the tragic loss of life due to a residential structure fire. It is heart breaking to hear a fire marshal doing a press conference and announcing that the home DID NOT have a working smoke detector.
In the interest of getting the word out and also having a catchy jingle, the fire service came up with:
Put a BEEP where you SLEEP !
Obviously, the point is that any room, whether it be basement, loft, den or a true bedroom; needs to have a smoke detector. Some fire departments give them out for free, some give out batteries, some will help install them and some, for liability reasons, do not. In any case, WE as ActiveRainers, can play an important role in this campaign.
When you are doing a walk through with a seller and are looking at inexpensive upgrades to instill value in a property, this is ideal. LOOK UP ! If the homeowner does not have appropriate smoke detectors, suggest adding them. This shows a prospective buyer that the previous owner was a responsible person. As the agent, you can point this out to a client as you show the property.
On the other side of the transaction, as the agent for the buyer, you also need to LOOK UP ! Is this a "safe" residence to put your client in ? You've gotten to know your client and their family during the showing of properties. How could you live with the loss of a family member in an unprotected house you sold them ?
By code, newer homes are built with smoke detectors in homes and other residential structures but older properties are not always retro-fitted before sale. So open your eyes, LOOK UP and pay attention for your client who is more interested in the spectacular view from that gorgeous bay window.
You know; if they don't have enough smoke detectors in their new house, an inexpensive battery operated version would be a thoughtful house warming gift from their agent. Hummm, just some food for thought. It may prove to be a priceless present because, the life you save might be there's.
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Deanna Early is a Nationally Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. She is the residential loan originator for American National Bank and Trust. She provides home mortgages, construction loans and lot loans. She does both purchase and refinance loans.
Her website is www.DeannaEarly.com
Please contact her for your financing needs at (540) 721-2349 or by email at "earlyd@amnb.com"
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