Fire Safety Tips

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. You can print out a full Fire Prevention and Safety Tips Checklist Here

Be Red Cross Ready

• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

• Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year

Steps You Can Take Now

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.

Never smoke in bed.

Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Make Your Home Fire Safe

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.

Safety Tips to Prevent Fires Caused by Alternate Heating Sources

Keep all sources of fuel (paper, clothing, bedding, and carpets or rugs) at least three feet away from all heat sources when cooking, or using alternate heating like a space heater.
Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
If you use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor) and not on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over, as another safety measure.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys and furnaces professionally inspected once per year.