Fire Safety Tips

The statistics about the death of children in home fires are grim: More than 1,000 children age 9 and under die each year (that's nearly three children every day). Most home fires are preventable and, with proper planning, a fire needn't end in tragedy.

To safeguard your family, practice the following recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association.


PREVENTION IS THE BEST PROTECTION

Each year, children who play with matches or lighters start about 100,000 fires. To prevent disaster, lock matches and lighters in an out-of-reach cabinet and never leave youngsters unsupervised around open flames.

In the kitchen:


  • Don't leave anything unattended: on a flame (on the stovetop), in a microwave, toaster, or toaster oven.


  • Keep the stovetop clear of ignitable items such as dishtowels, potholders, and wooden spoons.


  • Keep a large oven mitt and lid within reach to cover small pan fires.


  • Clean appliances thoroughly after cooking. Grease buildup ignites easily.


  • Teach children to stay three feet away from the stove when you're cooking.


  • Keep pot handles turned in and out of reach of groping hands.

Throughout the house:


  • If you smoke, don't leave cigarette butts in the ashtray. Throw them down the toilet.


  • Don't smoke in bed. When you're sleepy you may accidentally leave a smoldering cigarette to ignite bedding.


  • Use only one heat-producing appliance per electrical outlet.


  • Make sure electrical cords aren't frayed or worn. Even if cords are in perfect condition, don't run them under rugs or behind drapes.


  • Keep portable or space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, curtains, and bedding; turn them off before you go to sleep and whenever you leave the house.


  • Never place combustibles such as newspapers, magazines, or kindling near fireplaces, heaters, or radiators; and never use these heating devices to dry clothes.


  • Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.


THE WELL-EQUIPPED HOME

Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and escape ladders are essential to a fire safety plan. A working smoke detector on every level of your home cuts your risk of dying in a fire nearly in half. For a fire alert home:

  • Replace the batteries in each smoke detector once a year.


  • Test the batteries in every smoke detector once a month. Batteries are low when a detector "chirps," and they should be replaced immediately.


  • Replace smoke detectors every ten years.


  • Place a fire extinguisher on each level of your home. The best models for home use are rated "2-A:10-B:C" because they are safe to use on any fire.


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