Fire Safety

Every year, thousands of people are killed or injured in home fires, and nearly 1 in every 5 victims is a child age five or under. Smoking is the leading cause of home fires, but in the winter months, fires due to heating equipment cause nearly as many fires. Cooking-related fires are the third most common cause of home fires.

Following are the best ways to keep your family safe:

• Install fire/smoke detectors in the bedrooms and hallways of your home. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, "Only one-fifth of the home fire deaths from 1989-1998 were caused by fires in which a smoke alarm was present and operated."
• Check fire alarm batteries monthly, and change them twice a year (recommended at the beginning and end of daylight savings time).
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the home, preferably in the kitchen.
• Plan a fire escape route out of your home, and have fire drills so the whole family knows what to do.
• Teach your child to "stop, drop, and roll" if their clothing catches fire.
• Keep emergency numbers near the phone.
• Smokers should make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished when finished, and should not leave matches and lighters within reach of children.
• Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.
• Check and replace worn electrical cords.
• Make sure all heating equipment is in good repair and is correctly installed and maintained.
• Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or the house, and keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as bedding, curtains, etc.
• Keep decorative candles out of the reach of children and away from anything that can burn or is combustible.
• Teach children not to play with matches, lighters or candles and to not play near fireplaces, wood stoves or barbecue grills.