• Child Safety
• Electrical Safety
• Fire Extinguisher Safety
• Grill Safety
• Home Fire Safety

Home Fire Safety Tips

Your home is the center of your life – filled with loved ones and sentimental possessions. These are some important home fire safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Change the batteries every 6 months.
• Create multiple escape plans and practice them with your family. Your plans should include escape routes from different areas of the structure, tools for exiting the structure (escape ladders, items to open/break out windows), and a designated meeting place. It’s very important to practice fire safety for kids, so be sure to familiarize your children with the sounds of the alarm(s).
• Keep grills, cookers, and fryers at least three feet away from your house and shrubs or bushes.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable. Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Have your chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, and central furnace serviced once a year.
• If someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound.
• Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage.
• Close the lid on all flammable products and put them away after using them.
• Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in all electrical receptacles (outlets) in kitchens, bathrooms and other wet areas. GFCI help reduce electrical shock injuries.
• Store a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. They should have an ABC rating. This makes them usable for all types of fires.

Never leave cooking unattended

A report released by the National Fire Protection Agency states that cooking equipment was involved in more than 118,000 reported home fires. Unattended equipment was the leading cause of those fires and using grills on wooden or combustible decks was also a contributor.

When cooking, always:

• Keep cooking appliances clear of combustible materials such as rags, towels, and packaging materials.
• Keep children away from all cooking areas.

Never leave burning candles unattended

Recent statistics from a report released by Central Washington University indicate 18,000 home candle fires in the U.S. resulting in 190 deaths. In many cases, candles were being used as a light source because power had been shut off or was temporarily out of service. Keep a flashlight and batteries on hand for emergencies and prevent the need to use candles for emergency lighting.

If you do burn candles, always:

• Use sturdy holders.
• Keep candles away from children and pets.
• Extinguish candles before going to bed.
• Burn candles on even surfaces.
• Keep candles away from upholstery or window coverings.

Never smoke in bed

Forty percent of all smoking-related fires start in the bedroom. Many beds and blankets are made of combustible materials, making it very dangerous to fall asleep with a lit. The risk increases with the use of alcohol, drugs, and medications. A responsible smoker should always extinguish cigarettes in a fire-proof ash tray located away from all combustible materials.