Prevention Tips

Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. 60 percent of house 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.

Fire safety is of critical importance; fires can strike anywhere at any time. Follow these fire safety tips to ensure that your home and family remain safe, and that you have a quick method of escape from a dangerous fire situation.

• 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 your 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.
• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire - like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing - away from the stove.