FIRE PREVENTION
1. Download and complete the Fire Prevention and Preparedness Checklist (right navigation bar). It could
save the lives of you and your family.
2. Prepare an escape route from your building. Practice fire and building
evacuation drills with your family at least twice a year. Have a meeting place outside of the building so that all can be accounted
for after the evacuation. Smoke and darkness could blind you during a fire so also practice evacuation drills with your eyes
closed. Feel your way out of the building. Practice escaping from every room. Also, have a secondary escape route in case
your primary route is blocked by fire or smoke.
3. Install smoke alarms on every floor and in every sleeping
area. Smoke alarms dramatically increase your chances of surviving a fire. Check batteries every month and change them
at least twice a year. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
4. Strategically locate “A-B-C” type
fire extinguishers around your home. Teach family members how to use them properly.
5. Never use water
to put out a grease fire.
6. Consider installing a home fire sprinkler system. Research shows that home sprinkler systems could
save thousands of lives every year.
7. Use candle safely. Candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in
residential structures, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in estimated direct property damage each year.
· Avoid using lighted candles.
· If you do use candles, ensure that they are in sturdy
metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down.
· Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
· Set a good example by using
matches, lighters, and fire carefully.
· Children should never be allowed to play
with matches, lighters or candles.
· Never put candles on a Christmas tree.
· Never leave the house with candles burning.
· Extinguish candles after use.
· Establish a fire-safe home, especially a safe sleeping environment.
· And NEVER leave
burning candles unattended!
8. Check for cracks and defects in your fireplace or wood stove chimney. Install a spark arrester on top of the chimney and keep the fireplace screen closed when not feeding the fire.
9. Clean you chimneys regularly to prevent a build-up of creosote. Don’t burn trash, paper or green wood. These materials
cause heavy creosote build-up and could easily cause a chimney fire.
10. Routinely check your home electrical system
for defects. Look for old exposed wiring, hot switches, flickering lights, frayed cords, overloaded extension cords and cords
placed under rugs or carpet or in high traffic areas.
11. Keeping your bedroom doors closed will help slow the spread
of fire.
12. Consider limiting smoking to outside. Provide deep sturdy ashtrays and make sure cigarettes are
completely extinguished, especially before emptying ashtrays. Never smoke in bed or while drowsy.
13. Practice
safe cooking practices. Don’t wear long loose sleeves while cooking and keep combustibles away from the burners. Also,
never leave ranges and ovens unattended.
14. Locate your barbecue grill away from buildings, overhangs and other
combustibles. Turn off the gas to grills when not in use. Also, keep grease traps clean.
15. Do not store gasoline
or propane tanks indoors.
16. Never place a portable heater near a bed or curtains.
17. Eliminate clutter and avoid leaving
sawdust present in work areas.
