FIRE PREVENTION, SAFETY, & PUBLIC EDUCATION

Fire Safety Is A Family Affair! Residential fires kill an average of 5,000 people, injure an additional 21,000, and cause over $3.5 billion in property damage each year. This averages to over 13 deaths and 57 injuries each day! If people would take the time to recognize and eliminate fire hazards, this death and devastation could easily be avoided. Think Fire Safety!  

General Fire Safety Tips

  Smoke Detectors. Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home or apartment, near each bedroom, and at other key locations throughout the residence. Make sure the warning alarm is loud enough to alert those with hearing difficulties. Keep the smoke detectors free of dust, change the batteries when you change the clocks, and test them monthly.

Fire Extinguishers. Keep a "ABC-type" fire extinguisher in the kitchen, basement, garage, and workshop for extinguishing all types of fires. Keep the extinguishers out of the reach of children. Learn how to use the fire extinguisher before you need to use it in an emergency. Remember to only use it on small fires. If there is a large fire, DO NOT attempt to extinguish it, get out immediately and call 9-1-1.

Clothes on Fires? - What To Do

Clothing fires kill or scar thousands of adults and children each year. Whenever possible, purchase flame resistant clothing for children, especially sleepwear. Flame-resistant clothing for the elderly and disabled is also recommended. If your clothing does catch fire or if you are helping someone whose clothing is on fire, remember these three important words: STOP, DROP, and ROLL.

1. STOP! Do not run. Running will fan the flames and cause them to burn faster and hotter.
2. DROP! Cover your face with your hands, then drop to the ground and keep your head out of the fire. This protects your respiratory system, face, and eyes.
3. ROLL! Grab anything available, such as a blanket, coat, or rug, to smother flames and keep rolling in it. If nothing is available, keep rolling on a surface such as dirt, grass, vegetation, etc.

(E.D.I.T.H.) Exit Drills In The Home. Plan and practice emergency exit drills. Determine two ways out of every room. Make sure all windows open and are not painted shut. Do not block exits with furniture or enclose windows with iron bars that prevent escape. Decide on a meeting place for all family members away from the house. Ensure all family members understand the alarm signal and escape plans, and are able to follow them without assistance, especially small children. If more than one child sleeps in a bedroom, decide who gets the younger child out first, etc. If a bedroom is located in the basement, make sure the windows are large enough to crawl through in case of fire. Hold emergency exit drills at least once every six months. If you suspect fire, get out and call 9-1-1 from a neighbor's house. Once outside, never re-enter the house for any reason.

*** List emergency numbers near each phone. Teach children to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. ***

Kitchen Fire Safety

     20% of all house fires in the USA start in the kitchen. The most common kitchen fires involve grease or cooking oil that ignites during meal preparation. To extinguish a grease fire, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove (NEVER USE WATER). Never carry a burning pan to the sink or outside. Regularly clean the exhaust hood and stove areas to prevent the build-up of grease. Do not wear loose clothing or reach across a burner while cooking. Always keep a fire extinguisher close by while cooking. Keep all handles turned inward while cooking and always use hot pads and pot holders when moving pans from the stove. Keep stove top clear of all flammable items. Do not hang curtains or other flammable materials above the stove. Hang paper towel racks, curtains, and towels away from the toaster, toaster oven, and any other heat-producing appliances. Supervise the young and elderly when in the kitchen and teach children not to play around the stove. And most importantly, NEVER leave the stove unattended.

Deep Frying Safety

The most common type of kitchen fire is caused by deep fat frying. 4,000 people are injured in these kinds of fires each year.  Think about what you're doing when you're deep frying. You're heating several pints of oil to extremely high temperatures. The oil will not only cause terrible burns, but it can go up in flames . In fact, it's an ideal fuel for a fire, and difficult to put out.  To extinguish a deep fat frying  fire, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the stove (NEVER USE WATER)

Garage & Storage Area Fire Safety

If a garage is attached to your house, always keep the connecting door to your home closed with a tight seal. Store gasoline in approved containers in a cool, vented place away from your main living areas (never in the home or basement) and never near an open flame, heat, or appliances. Never smoke around gasoline. Paint, varnishes, and other flammables must be sealed in air tight containers. Dispose of old newspapers, magazines, and rags properly (if possible, recycle them); do not store them near gasoline, cleaning fluid, or kerosene. Dispose of oily rags or store in a fire-safe labeled can with sealable lid. Discard old waste oil, solvents, flammable liquids in accordance with local laws and regulations. Let lawn and garden equipment cool down prior to storing in a garage or shed. Refuel lawn mowers outdoors only after the engine has cooled.

Do not allow the accumulation of unneeded or unnecessary items (i.e. junk). If you no longer need or have use something, discard it. Keep halls, entranceways, and stairways free of storage. Keep closet floors and areas under stairs free of unnecessary storage. Keep flammable materials away from electric heaters, hot air registers, or radiators. Light bulbs generate a large amount of heat; do not allow clothes or other items stored in the closet to come in contact with the electric light.

Candle Safety

What's the fuss about candles?  Candles mark special occasions and create a special atmosphere. They also bring fire into your home. Candles are actually a growing cause of fire. Every year people are killed and injured because they were careless with candles. Learn how to be careful with candles - treat them carefully.   Don't leave them burning - extinguish candles before you leave a room. Never go to sleep with a candle still burning. And never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom.  Candles should always be placed on a heat resistant surface.
 

Electrical Fire Safety

Check all electrical outlets and extension as well as appliance cords. Check for exposed wires, frayed or damaged cords, loose connections, and loose wall receptacles. If any damage is discovered, repair or replace the item.  Do not place extension cords around doorways or under rugs. Never bend cord or pinch between doors. Do not use electrical appliances or tools when you or the cord is in or near water; install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in rooms with water or moisture. Use hair dryers and curling irons away from items that might burn; disconnect after use and do not fold or crimp cord.

Do not overload sockets; be sure there are enough outlets in every room to prevent overloading any socket. If you have very young children, place childproof plugs in any unused sockets. Always use the light bulbs with the proper wattage. Always use the proper size of fuse in the fuse box; never use a substitute or fuse of the wrong size. If a fuse blows, determine the cause and correct the problem prior to replacing the fuse.

Never leave any appliance unattended while in use and always unplug when not in use. Do not use a heating pad for more than 30 minutes at a time; unplug when finished. Unplug electric blankets when not in use. Store electric blankets flat and never fold or roll them. Use designated electric lines for large appliances such as dryers, stoves, etc. If your house is older, have an electrician check that the wiring meets current building codes. Have a qualified electrician to install or extend wiring.

Clothes Dryer Fire Safety

Never place synthetic fabrics, plastic, rubber, or foam into a clothes dryer, because they retain heat. Clean the lint screen before and after each use. Dryers must be vented to the outside and plugged into their own outlet. Never leave home with the dryer running.

Heating Systems Fire Safety

Heating systems and furnaces should be cleaned and serviced annually to reduce the fire hazard. Check for clogged passageways and clean the creosote from your woodstove and chimneys annually. Keep furnace and fireplace areas free of trash, papers, paint, and other flammable materials. Keep furniture away from fireplaces, registers, baseboards, and radiators. If there is a fireplace, use a close-fitting screen to prevent sparks from igniting floors, rugs, and other nearby flammable materials. Only burn seasoned, dry wood in the fireplace or wood stove to reduce the buildup of creosote. Store ashes in metal containers. Make sure the furnace has an emergency shut-off switch. Space heaters should not be utilized as a main source of heat; use them properly. Do not place space heaters at exits or stairways where they can block the exits or can be tipped over. Only fill portable heaters after they have cooled down.

Natural Gas & Liquid Propane Safety

Purchase only gas appliances that meet national approved safety standards. Use qualified persons to install and service gas appliances. Follow manufacturer's instructions for the operation and care of the appliances. Call for expert assistance if a gas appliance is overheating or if soot is found around the burner. Make sure the flame on your gas appliance is bright blue; if it is consistently yellow, call a qualified person to check and adjust the burner. In areas where venting is required, make sure all vents and chimneys are clean, tight-fitting, and in good condition. If you find a pilot light out, relight it right away according to the manufacturer's recommendations or turn off the gas and wait five minutes for the gas to disperse.

If you smell gas, do not attempt to locate the source of the hissing sound; leave the house immediately and dial 9-1-1 from a neighbor's phone. Remain outside your home for the fire department and/or gas representative. Do not light a match or candle. Do not touch an electrical switch or use your phone as either of those may spark an explosion.

Outdoor Fire Safety

Clear your yard and surroundings of leaves, weeds, debris, and combustible rubbish for a distance of 50 feet from your house or garage. Always store wood for woodstoves and fireplaces away from your home. Firmly set portable barbeque grills and keep away from flammable materials. Charcoal burns hot and long; prevent barbeque grills from tipping and scattering coals, which may cause a fire. Do not apply charcoal lighting fluid after the fire has begun and never use gasoline.

More Safety Tips:

Sparky the Fire Dog