Fire Prevention

Fire is fast!

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major flame.

Here are some important ways to keep your home safe from fire.

Smoke alarms

Working smoke alarms give you early warning if there is a fire.

  • Put smoke alarms on every level of your home.
  • Place smoke alarms inside and outside of ALL the sleeping areas.
  • Make sure all of your smoke alarms work. Test them each month.
  • Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older.

In the kitchen

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires.

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food.
  • If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
  • Keep things that can turn the burner off.
  • Keep things that can burn away from your cooking area.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped.

Home heating

Heating is the second leading cause of home fires.

  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters and radiators.
  • When you leave a room or go to bed, turn heaters off or unplug them.
  • Plug space heaters DIRECTLY into the outlet and NEVER use an extension cord or power strip.
  • Make sure your heater has an automatic shut-off switch that turns it off if it tips over.
  • Have your furnace, chimney and chimney connector inspected by a professional each winter. Make repairs before cool weather sets in.

**** Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and test them every month.****

Smokers

If you smoke in your home, you’re at higher risk to have a fire.

You can prevent a fire by asking all smokers to:

  • Always smoke outside.
  • Use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
  • Put cigarettes all the way out. Do this every time.
  • Put water on cigarette butts before throwing them in the trash.
  • Smoke only when alert. Never smoke in bed or if drowsy.

Young children and older adults

If you have young children or older adults living in your home, the may need your help to stay safe.

Children under four years old are at a higher risk of home fire injury and death than other children.

  • Keep children at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, including heaters, the stove and candles.
  • Lock cigarette lighters and matches up high, out of a child’s sight and reach.
  • Teach your children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.

Our risk of being injured in a fire increases with age.

  • Know two ways out of each room. Keep these exits clear.
  • Make sure everyone is able to hear the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to get outside if it sounds.
  • Older adults may need your help escaping. Plan for this.
  • Keep wheelchair, eyeglasses, hearing aids and a telephone next to the bed.

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