Survey Says…Together, Homeowners and Builders Can Close the Gap in Home Fire Safety

Findings unveil homeowner misconceptions about residential fire safety and how builders can help

Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) May 23, 2007 -- While many people recognize that home fire safety is important, most underestimate the threat residential fire poses to the average American household. For example, did you know that fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined in 2005? While facts like these may make Americans take fire safety more seriously, there are several common misconceptions about how to prevent and prepare for the dangers of fire, especially in the home.

Together, homeowners and builders who realize the importance of fire safety can make a difference that benefits every American family.

In time for June's observance of National Safety Month, PEARL Protected, creators of the patented Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder (PEARL®), conducted an online survey of nearly 500 U.S. homeowners to better understand these misconceptions. From questions about smoke alarms and personal fire experiences to learning what is expected of today's homebuilders, the report unveiled several fire and home safety insights.

Residential Fire Safety

Nearly 20 percent of respondents believe a person has 4-5 minutes to escape from their home from the time a smoke alarm sounds. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you have less than three minutes to get out of the house before the flames and fumes become fatal to you and your loved ones.

While more than half of the respondents say they have an escape plan for their families, only 13 percent report practicing their plan at least once a year. The NFPA recommends that families create a fire escape plan that provides two ways out of every room - especially upstairs rooms - and practice it at least twice a year. To gauge your own fire safety preparedness, please visit PEARL's website to participate in a brief online poll.

Builder Commitment to Safety

Despite housing market woes, consumer standards for home design, style and safety are higher than ever. To meet these expectations, homebuilders are investing in innovative, value-add features that are unique, easy-to-use and economical. The following survey results indicate that builders must make home safety a high priority to remain at the forefront of competition:

• Approximately 75 percent of survey respondents believe homebuilders have a social responsibility to include or at least offer innovative home safety features as a standard in the homes they build.
• An overwhelming 88 percent of respondents say they would choose a homebuilder with a reputation for making home safety a priority over an equally qualified builder.
• The expectation for homebuilders to elevate their safety standards is so sincere that 40 percent of those surveyed said they would rather receive a permanent escape device for their upstairs bedrooms than a 42-inch flat screen television.

"There is a widespread consumer demand to elevate the standards of home safety," said Duley. "Together, homeowners and builders who realize the importance of fire safety can make a difference that benefits every American family."

How Can You Bridge the Gap?

Understanding the importance of fire safety is not enough - homeowners must bridge the gap in residential fire safety by taking action. Leveraging Internet and community resources available through local fire departments and organizations like the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration, homeowners and families now have access to many tools they need to prevent and prepare for residential fire.

Adequate home fire protection means creating a proper residential fire safety plan that addresses four critical components: prevention, detection, suppression and escape. Common fire safety devices like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are required by building code in most American homes. Additionally, new fire safety product innovations, like the PEARL permanent escape ladder, are also widely-available to homeowners for added protection. With this in mind, families can encourage their builders, homeowner associations and city governments to include or require home safety equipment as standard features in every home and every community.

Create your family's fire escape plan today and learn more about the patented PEARL® Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder device at www.pearlprotected.com.

Sources: PEARL Protected courtesy of Zoomerang (Winter 2006-2007); National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2005 and U.S. Fire Administration Firefighter Fatalities in the U.S. in 2005

About PEARL Protected
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, PEARL Protected is redefining the standards of home and fire safety through its patented, breakthrough product - PEARL - a revolutionary Permanent Escape And Rescue Ladder that can be quickly and easily deployed in the event of a residential fire or other home emergency. It is currently available through a variety of channels, including the nation's largest homebuilders and building supply dealers. PEARL can also be ordered directly through the PEARL Protected website (www.pearlprotected.com) or via phone at 800.374.5737.

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