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Fire Safety In
The Home
10 Tips for
Fire Safety
1.
Install and Maintain Life Saving Smoke Detectors
Smoke
detectors are time machines-they give you time to escape by warning you
early when a fire is present. Install them outside sleeping areas and on
each level of your home. Test them often, keep them clean and dust free
and give them a new battery once a year. A chirping noise from your
detector means your battery is low.
2. Put
Some Space Around Space Heaters
Space
heaters produce temperatures that can ignite ordinary home furnishings.
Keep at least 3 ft. clear space around them and never place them close to
draperies or shower curtains. Buy only UL or Factory Mutual tested heaters
with automatic "tip over" shut offs.
3.
Practice Your Planned Escape
The best
way to survive a fire inside a building is to get out fast. Plan two
escape routes from each room in your home and practice the routes with
family members at least twice a year. Pick a meeting place everyone can
gather outside and never go back in. Stay out!
4. Keep
An Eye On Smokers
Careless
smoking is the number one cause of fire deaths in America. Never smoke in
bed or when drowsy. Give smokers large ashtrays. Wet butts before
discarding them into garbage receptacles. If you're throwing a party, have
a designated area for smoking so you can keep an eye on smokers and avoid
accidents.
5.
Matches And Lighters
Small
children are often fascinated by matches and lighters and can mistake them
for toys. Keep them out of reach or locked up from little ones. Adults
should teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not
toys to be played with. If children find them they should tell an adult
immediately.
6. Stop,
Drop And Roll
If your
clothes catch fire, don't run! Stop where you are, cover your face with
your hands, drop to the ground and roll over to smother the
flames
7. Cool
Water For Burns
Everyone
knows scalding water burns just like fire. Well, cool water helps to stop
the burning of skin when it occurs. If you or someone gets burned, don't
use butter or some other home remedy. Place the burned area in cool water
for 10-15 minutes and seek professional medical help if
needed.
8. Be
Safe With Electricity
Overloaded
circuits are a constant problem that cause home fires. Multi-plugs should
be avoided and extension cords limited to temporary use, never run them
under rugs or furnishings. Replace any cord or plug that has cracks or
visible damage. Use only proper size fuses.
9. Take
Care In The Kitchen
Kitchen
fires are the most frequent seen by firefighters. Never leave cooking
unattended. Keep lids of pots handy and the handles turned inwards. If
grease catches fire, place a lid over the pan and turn off the heat. Never
wear loose fitting clothes or big sleeves when cooking and keep all metals
out of microwave ovens.
10. Stay
Low And Go!
Smoke is
the culprit that claims more lives than the fire that makes it. Try to
avoid smoky ways out, but if you have no choice, get down and crawl as low
as you can to find the best remaining air as you escape.
FIRE SAFETY LINKS
Sparky the
Fire Safety Dog!
Fire
Pals!
USFA Kids
Page
Kinderkorner
Smoky
Bear
Fire
Safe Council
Electrical
Safety Foundation
EPA - Carbon Monoxide
Safety
Underwriters Lab -
Safety
Fire
Safety.Gov
US Consumer Safety
Publications
Delmar Fire Safety
(with other links)
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