• Cigarette Smoking
  • Cigarettes are the number one cause of fire deaths in the United States
  • Keep lighters and matches used for smoking inaccessible to children
  • Never smoke in bed
  • Empty ashtrays frequently, but wet the butts and ashes first
• Cooking
  • Do not leave unsupervised pots of food cooking on the stove or in the oven
  • Do not store items on top of the stove – a power surge or a knob getting turned on accidentally can cause a fire
  • Keep pot handles turned towards the back of the stove
  • Use oven mitts, not a dish towel, to remove items from the oven
  • Always have a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen
• Clothes Dryer
  • Never leave the dryer running if you leave the house
  • Clean the lint screen frequently
  • Vent the dryer to the outside instead of into a wall
• Fire Safety
  • Install smoke detectors on every level of your house
  • Mount a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, garage, and in at least one bedroom at the opposite end of the house from the kitchen
  • Discuss and practice a fire escape plan with your family
  • If the fire is large, get out of the house immediately and call 911
  • STOP, DROP, and ROLL if clothes catch on fire
  • Crawl low to the floor to stay below the smoke
  • Do not open a closed door if it feels hot
  • Have at least one escape ladder if you have a two-story house
• The best way to protect your family from a fire is to be prepared.  Make sure everyone knows the fire prevention tips and the fire safety tips if a fire should occur.

Every year children set over 100,000 fires and 20% of all fire deaths are children.  We need to teach our children fire safety, fire prevention, and steps to take in the event of a fire.  Preparing your child for a fire emergency may save her life.

Fire Prevention

• Do not over use extension cords.  Make sure they are not frayed or worn and do not run under a rug.
• Do not overload outlets
• If you live in an older home with the original wiring, have an electrician check it periodically to ensure its safety
• Make sure the light bulbs being used are the correct wattage for the lamp
• Allow plenty of space around TVs, computers, radios, and stereos to prevent overheating
• Keep lamps away from curtains, bedspreads, etc

Portable heaters contribute to the increase in fires during the winter months. 

• Never place a heater where a child or pet will knock it over
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable including the wall
• Never place a heater near a bed or drapes
• Never leave a heater on when not in the room
• Never use an extension cord with a heater
  
  

Fireplace

• Keep the fireplace clean and covered with a screen
• Do not store newspapers, kindling, or an exposed rug in front of the fireplace
• Never leave a fireplace burning unattended
• Have the chimney professionally cleaned once a year

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