Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. A lack of working smoke alarms can significantly increase the chance of dying in a residential fire. By taking these easy steps, you can protect yourself and your family from fires.
Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking
- Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
- Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper, plastic bags, and curtains at least 3 feet away from the range top.
- Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts.
- Be aware that loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire.
- Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use.
- Keep grills at least 3 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
Prevent Fires Caused by Heating
- Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Have a serviceperson inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves, and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary.
- Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.
Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking
- Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside
- Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table
- Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash
Prevent Fires Caused by Candles
- Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms
- Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal or glass. Blow out candles when adults leave the room.
Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products
- Store gasoline in a container approved for gasoline storage. Store the container away from the home, in a safe place with a lock.
- Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only.
- Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them.
- Don’t plug in too many appliances at once.
Keep Your Family Safe At Home
- Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
- Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.
- Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop, and Roll” if clothes catch fire.
- Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel.
- Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
- If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.
Tips courtesy of the Home Safety Council.