1. Get a smoke detector and keep it working
Smoke detectors save lives. Install at least one on every level of your house or apartment - more if your home is large. Make sure there's a smoke detector between each bedroom and main living area such as the kitchen.
Getting a smoke detector is a good first step, but keeping it working is just as important. Almost one-third of all smoke detectors in homes are believed to be missing batteries or otherwise not functional. Test each device once a month according to the manufacturer's instructions. Change the battery when the smoke detector "chirps" to warn of a low charge. Or better yet, automatically change the battery and vacuum the unit when you change the time on your clocks in the spring and fall.
2. "PASS" the fire extinguisher
Although only about one in every five homes has a fire extinguisher, this inexpensive safe-guard can often keep a keep a small fire from becoming a large one. Get an all-purpose extinguisher that works on several different types of flaming materials, and operate it using the PASS - word:
Pull the pin that unlocks the operating lever and discharges the extinguisher. Read your model's specific instructions - before the heat of an emergency.
Aim low, pointing the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever (or push the button on some models) to discharge the extinguisher.
Sweep from side to side until the fire is out. If flames reappear, repeat the process. But if the fire continues to burn after about 10 seconds, give up the fight and call for help.
3. Cook your meals, not your home
More fires happen in the kitchen than in any other room. And the majority of blazes involve cooking mishaps with grease fryers. Never leave the room when using a fryer. If you're wearing clothing with loose-fitting sleeves, roll them up while you're cooking over stove burners. Turn cookware handles inward so they don't stick out and possibly ignite the stove if a pot or pan is spilled. Don't leave burners unattended, especially if children are present.
And don't try to put out a food-related fire with water; it can make burning grease or fat even worse. If the fire is in a pot or pan, turn off the heat and carefully put a lid over the top or use your fire extinguisher.
4. Chill out heating hazards
Heating equipment such as wood stoves, space heaters, fireplaces - anything that gets hot - trigger almost one out of every three home fires. Wood stoves have changed a lot since the potbellies of Grandpa's day - mostly for the better. If you want to use one, purchase a new model that meets today's safety standards. Make sure it is properly installed on a non-combustible base that can withstand intense heat, and that the entire unit including stovepipe is at least 36 inches from a wall or furniture, unless the unit's label approves it for reduced clearance. Space heaters should be three feet from curtains, furniture - anything that can burn. If in doubt, call the fire department for advice.
Chimneys on wood stoves and fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected yearly. Be sure to remove the ashes using a metal container - never use a cardboard box or plastic pail.
5. Plug into appliance safety
To keep appliances from sparking fires, keep cords away from hot surfaces and areas with open water or faucets. Unplug warm appliances such as toasters, irons or hair dryers, just to be sure. And don't plug too many items into the same electrical circuit, especially if the wiring in your house or apartment is old. Do not overload extension cords.
Clothes dryers are involved in about 14,000 fires each year. Because dust and lint buildup is the major cause, clean the filter after each load. Your clothes will be safer and drier, and less energy will be consumed!
6. Keep flammables in kid-free zones
How far can you reach above your head, yet still retrieve an object? That is how high you should store flammable materials or combustible liquids such as gasoline, cleaning solvents, glue and hair spray in your home or garage. Keeping them in non-glass containers out of a child's reach will help avoid trouble.
Just as important, keep flammable liquids away from furnaces, water heaters, ranges, other gas appliances or other sources of open flame.
7. Don't let smoking keep the home fires burning
In almost any year, smoking in bed causes more home fire deaths than any other activity. So in a word: DON'T. It's also wise to designate "no smoking area" status to couches or easy chairs that can lull people to sleep while they're holding lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipes.
If there's smoking in your house, provide deep, stable ashtrays. Douse their contents with water before dumping them into the trash. And since most home deaths from lighters and matches are started by children, keep these items out of their reach.
8. Practice four seasons of home safety
Each season arrives with its own special needs for fire safety. Spring often means the start of cookouts, so make sure your grill is 15 feet from any building. In the summer, be careful with fireworks around Independence Day. Even sparklers can burn at up to 1200° F, hot enough to ignite clothing or dry grass almost instantly. In the fall, anchor any candles in Halloween jack o’ lanterns or luminary firmly, and away from anything burnable. And take extra precautions during winter holidays. Keep your tree stand filled with water, and make sure any lights and candles are used safely. And if you have a fireplace, keep any stockings away from open fires!
9. Don't get burned
Develop an emergency evacuation plan so everyone can exit your home to escape a fire. Make sure everyone knows all possible exits, and arrange an outside meeting place to assure that everyone is out safely. Stay as low as possible while escaping the fire. Both heat and smoke rise, so staying close to the floor reduces your chances of inhaling deadly smoke.
If your clothes catch on fire, remember three words: Stop, Drop and Roll. It's the best way to quickly extinguish the flame. If you suffer minor burns, run them under cool water immediately, and apply a burn medication as soon as possible.
10. Help the firefighters
The sooner firefighters can locate a home in trouble and connect their hoses, the more effectively they can work. Help them out by making sure your home address numbers are at least four inches high, and clearly visible from the street.
And if there's a fire hydrant on your property, don't obstruct it with fencing or shrubbery. Keep the area free of snow in the winter.
These recommendations were developed using generally accepted safety standards. Compliance with these recommendations is not a guarantee that you will be in conformance with any building code, federal, state or local regulation regarding safety or fire. Compliance with these recommendations does not ensure the absolute safety of your occupation, business or residence. It is the property owner’s duty to warn any tenants or occupants of the property of any safety hazards that may exist.
