Family Fire Safety: A house fire can happen quicker and easier than one would expect and statistics show that most families are not prepared. Every home should have properly installed, working smoke/CO2 alarms and fire extinguishers, but every home needs an escape plan that every member of the household is familiar with. Developing a fire safety plan for your family is easy and is essential for your family’s safety.

• Make a plan on paper showing at least two ways out of every room
• Designate a meeting place in a safe place outside your home that is a safe distance away.
• Practice a home fire drill in the day and the night with everyone in the home twice a year.
• Teach children to be able to escape on their own.
• Teach your family that once they leave the house, to stay out! Never go back for anything.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries once a year. Pick a date that is significant to help you remember. 
• Make sure that you have up to date fire extinguishers in your home and learn how to use them.
• Teach your family to: Stop, Drop & Roll
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your house. Place them near every bedroom and if you sleep with the door closed, place one inside the room. 
• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
• Close doors behind you as you leave. This may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.

Prevent Fires Caused by Cooking: 

• Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. 
• Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top. 
• Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts. Loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire. 
• Don’t plug in too many appliances at once. 

Prevent Fires Caused by Heating: 

• Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet. 
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper.
• When not in use, space heaters should be unplugged. 
• Have a service person inspect chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves and central furnaces once a year. Have them cleaned when necessary. 
• Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace. 

Prevent Fires Caused by Smoking:

• Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside. 
• Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table
• Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash. 

Prevent Fires Caused by Candles :

• Never leave burning candles unattended. 
• Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms. 
• Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc. 
• Blow out candles when adults leave the room. 

Prevent Fires Caused by Gasoline and Other Products:      

• Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage. 
• Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only. 
• Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them. 
• Store them away from the home and in a safe place with a lock.