Keep your family safe by following our fire prevention tips.
Fires are dangerous and destructive, and can start in a variety of ways. The best way to avoid injury or death from fires is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Smartest fire safety tips for protecting your family at home:
- Check your smoke alarms at least once a month. Change the batteries if necessary.
- Replace your smoke alarm if it is more than 10 years old. Don’t know how to install a new one? Call your local fire department. They will be glad to help you.
- Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your home.
- Do not allow your children to play with matches or lighters. Keep these items out of reach of children.
- Place a fire screen around your fireplace to ensure embers can’t escape.
- Don’t overload circuits or electrical outlets.
- Use caution with heat-generating appliances, especially space heaters. Do not leave a space heater running when nobody is in the room.
- When cooking, keep dish towels, oven mitts and clothing away from stovetop flames. Never hold a baby or child while cooking.
- When using candles, make sure they are in holders and at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Never use them in bedrooms or children’s rooms.
- Candles inside carved pumpkins are a risk for burns and home fires. Use a flashlight or glow stick instead.
- Create a fire escape plan with family members. If a fire breaks out, get out of the house and call 911.
Be sure to share these fire safety tips with all of your family members. It’s always better to be prepared. For more information about fire safety and Fire Prevention:
