Kerri Honeywood Fire Safety Consulting

⚠️ Most people think home safety starts and ends with smoke alarms… but some of the biggest dangers in your home can’t be seen until it’s too late.

As an environmental health and fire safety educator here in Chicago, I want families to know about hantavirus — a serious illness linked to rodent droppings, urine, and nesting materials. This can become a real risk when cleaning out basements, garages, sheds, vacant homes, or storage areas.

🚫 Please do NOT sweep or vacuum mouse droppings.
That can stir harmful particles into the air and increase exposure.

✅ Instead:
• Air out the space first
• Wear gloves
• Spray droppings with disinfectant
• Wipe carefully and dispose safely

Your family’s safety goes beyond fire prevention. Healthy homes matter too — from carbon monoxide awareness to rodent hazards, mold, and indoor air quality.

I’m passionate about helping our community recognize the dangers we don’t always talk about. Prevention saves lives.

Have you checked the hidden areas of your home lately — attic, basement, crawl space, garage?

Drop a 🏠 in the comments if you believe every family deserves a safe and healthy home.

You may check your smoke detectors… but when was the last time you checked for hidden health hazards in your home? Rodent droppings can carry hantavirus — and improper cleanup can put your family at risk.

As Kerri Honeywood Environmental Health & Fire Safety consultant, my mission is not just fire prevention — it’s helping families create safer, healthier homes. From rodent exposure and indoor air quality to home safety education, prevention starts with awareness. Let’s protect our homes from the dangers we can’t always see.

🚨 THIS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE TONIGHT 🚨

Most homes are not prepared… and the scariest part?
You wouldn’t even know until it’s too late.

Let me teach you ONE thing that could protect your entire household:

🔥 Carbon Monoxide vs. Gas — They are NOT the same

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

Invisible. Odorless. Silent.
You cannot see it or smell it.
Exposure can cause dizziness, confusion… even death while you sleep.

Natural Gas:

Has a strong “rotten egg” smell (added on purpose)
Easier to detect—but still dangerous if ignored

⚠️ Here’s the problem:
Many families think if they don’t smell gas, they’re safe…

That is NOT true.

Carbon monoxide gives NO warning signs.

Which means:

No smell
No color
No second chances

And yet… so many homes:
❌ Don’t have working carbon monoxide detectors
❌ Haven’t checked batteries in months
❌ Don’t know where detectors should even be placed

As a Fire Safety Consultant, I’ve seen how unprepared homes really are—and how quickly situations can turn tragic.

This isn’t about fear.
This is about being prepared, protected, and proactive.

🛑 Don’t wait until something happens.

📩 DM “SAFE” for a free consultation
Let’s make sure your home and your loved ones are truly protected tonight.

A fire started in a bedroom… they may have lost their belongings, but thankfully, they still have their lives.

Key Tips/Takeaways:

Prioritize Life Over Property – Always remember: belongings can be replaced, lives cannot. Make an evacuation plan and practice it regularly.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Install and test smoke detectors in every bedroom, hallway, and living space. Replace batteries at least once a year.
Fire Escape Plan – Map out at least two exit routes from every room. Ensure everyone in your home knows how to escape safely.
Keep Bedrooms Safe – Avoid overloading outlets and keep flammable materials away from heaters or electronics.
Emergency Contacts Handy – Keep a phone and emergency numbers near your bed. Make sure children know how to call for help.
Stay Calm and Act Fast – Teach family members how to safely exit and gather at a predetermined meeting spot.

"Your home and belongings are important, but your life matters more. Schedule a fire safety consultation with me today to protect what truly matters."

“Candles: ambiance 10/10, accidental fire 0/10. 🕯️🔥”

Never leave candles unattended 👀

Keep them off flammable surfaces 🛋️

Blow them out BEFORE leaving the room or falling asleep 😴

Pro tip: Battery-operated candles give all the vibes, zero fire risk.

DM me for a full home fire safety walkthrough — because cozy shouldn’t equal risky.

🚨🔥 Is Your Fire Extinguisher Still Ready… Or Just Sitting There Looking Cute? 🔥🚨

Let’s be honest — most people buy a fire extinguisher, hang it up, and never look at it again.

But here’s the truth: your fire extinguisher needs attention just like your smoke alarms do.

As Kerri Honeywood Environmental Health & Fire Safety Consulting, I’m here to ask you the real question…

👉🏽 If a fire started tonight, would your extinguisher actually work?

🧯 Here’s What You Need to Know:

✔️ Check the pressure gauge monthly.
The needle should be in the green zone. If it’s in red — it needs servicing or replacement.

✔️ Inspect for damage.
Look for cracks in the hose, rust, corrosion, leaks, or a broken safety seal.

✔️ Shake dry chemical extinguishers periodically.
Powder can settle and compact over time, making it ineffective.

✔️ Service annually (for commercial properties).
Businesses are required to have extinguishers inspected yearly by a certified professional.

✔️ Replace or professionally inspect after 2–3 years.
Even if it hasn’t been used, pressure can slowly decline and internal components can weaken. If your extinguisher is 2–3 years old and hasn’t been checked — it may be time for servicing or replacement.

✔️ Recharge immediately after ANY use.
Even a quick spray reduces pressure and effectiveness.

✔️ Most extinguishers last 5–15 years, but only if properly maintained.

🔥 Remember: Fire doesn’t schedule appointments.
It doesn’t wait for you to “get around to it.”

A $30–$60 extinguisher that fails in an emergency can cost thousands in damage — or worse.

As a Chicago-based Fire Safety Consultant, I help homeowners, landlords, and small businesses stay proactive — not reactive.

Don’t wait until you “smell smoke.”

📲 Schedule your Fire Safety Readiness Check today.
Because I don’t want any smoke from Mother Nature… and I definitely don’t want you waking up to smoke in your home.

“Space heaters: warm you up OR audition for a fire show? 🤔🔥 Let’s make sure it’s the first one.”

Stay toasty safely this winter:

Keep 3 feet of space around heaters 🛋️

Don’t sleep with it on 😴

Plug directly into wall outlets (no extension cord shenanigans!) ⚡

Need a heater safety check? DM me — I’ll keep you warm AND alive.

“Hot cocoa should warm your soul, not set off your smoke detector! ☕🔥”

Chicago winter kitchens = cozy chaos. Keep your home safe with these 3 tips:

Never leave the stove unattended – Even for one marshmallow.

Keep cords & flammables away from heaters – Your blanket does NOT belong next to the toaster.

Test smoke alarms monthly – Because the only alarm we want is your heart from surprise hugs, not fire.

DM me for a FREE home fire safety consult before winter strikes again.

“Who knew your mashed potatoes could try to set your house on fire? 🥔🔥 Let’s talk kitchen fires before your comfort food becomes too hot to handle!”

Chicago winters mean one thing: comfort food season is IN. But before you go full Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen, here are 5 fire safety tips to keep your holiday spread cozy, not crispy:

Stay in the kitchen while cooking – That pasta doesn’t need a babysitter, but your house does. 🍝

Keep flammables away – Oven mitts, dish towels, and paper recipes are NOT ingredients. 🔥

Clean those burners & stovetops – Crumbs + grease = your kitchen auditioning for Chicago Fire: Home Edition.

Check your smoke alarms – Because the only thing we want rising in your home is the smell of cinnamon, not smoke.

Have a fire extinguisher handy – Not just for the “oops” moments, but for when you realize you may have overcooked the brussels sprouts.

Want your home kitchen-approved for winter comfort cooking? DM me for a FREE fire safety check — let’s keep your house safe, warm, AND deliciously cozy.

I don’t want any smoke from Mother Nature, nor do I want to be awakened with smoke in my home. So winter isn’t finished yet? Chicago, I see you! ❄️🔥

Before you crank up the heat and risk turning your living room into a bonfire experiment, here are 5 tips to stay warm AND safe while battling this unpredictable Chicago weather:

Check your smoke & CO detectors – because the only thing I want to smell is hot cocoa, not smoke alarms at 3 AM.

Space heaters need space – at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Your couch is cozy, but not a chimney.

Keep the fireplace drama-free – no paper, no glitter, no “let’s see what happens” experiments. Burn wood responsibly.

Layer like a pro – thermal socks, fuzzy blankets, and maybe a hat indoors. Safety doesn’t have to be boring.

Plan your escape route – just in case Mother Nature decides to throw a smoke party. Know your exits, Chicago!

Winter may linger, but fire safety doesn’t take a snow day. Stay warm, stay safe, and don’t let your house audition for a fire drill scene! 🔥❄️

Want a FREE fire safety consultation before winter says “surprise!”? DM me and let’s make your home cozy AND secure.

❄️🚨 Chicago Cold Weather Advisory: Temps Dropping Into the Low 20s & Single Digits
Chicago winters don’t play — and neither should we when temperatures drop this low.

With Chicagoland temperatures expected in the low 20s down to single digits, the risk of home fires, carbon monoxide exposure, frozen pipes, and heating-related emergencies rises fast — especially in older buildings and multifamily homes common across Chicago.

What Every Chicago Household Should Do Now:

🔥 Home Heating Safety (Apartments & Houses)
• Keep space heaters 3 feet away from furniture, curtains, and bedding
• Never use ovens or grills for heat — especially in apartments
• Make sure radiators and vents are clear and unobstructed

🚨 Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Protection
• Test smoke detectors and CO detectors today — many Chicago homes rely on gas heat
• Replace batteries immediately
• Detectors should be on every level of your home and near sleeping areas

🧯 Fire Prevention in Cold Weather
• Keep a working fire extinguisher accessible
• Avoid overloading outlets with heaters, power strips, and holiday lighting
• Unplug space heaters when sleeping or leaving the home

🏠 Chicago Winter Prep
• Let faucets drip during extreme cold to prevent frozen pipes
• Open cabinet doors to protect plumbing in older buildings
• Check on seniors, neighbors, and anyone living alone

🐾 Pet Safety in Extreme Cold
• Bring pets indoors — even those with thick fur
• Limit outdoor time during single-digit temps
• Keep antifreeze and ice melt stored safely — highly toxic to pets

WHY THIS MATTERS:
Chicago sees increased winter fires and carbon monoxide incidents during extreme cold — most are preventable with preparation.

If you’re not sure your home is fully winter-ready, a simple safety check can make all the difference.
I support Chicago families with practical fire & environmental safety guidance — before emergencies happen.