Fire Prevention & Safety Tips

Fire Prevention & Safety Tips

• Make sure candles are not placed near open windows or left unattended.

• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove top - turn off the stove when answering the doorbell, telephone, or leaving the kitchen for any reason.

• Even when it is in the off position, make sure stove top is always clear of combustible materials, such as hand towels, mail, or paper towels.

• Test your smoke alarms once a month.

• Develop a family escape plan with two ways out and a meeting place; practice your plan.

• Teach children your address and how to place a 911 call.

• Have an expert inspect your chimney and furnace yearly.

• When using a space heater, place it several feet away from combustible materials, such as magazines, curtains, or newspapers, and turn it off when you leave the room.

• Check laundry rooms and dryer vents to ensure they are free from accumulations of lint (check under and behind dryers).

• If using a real tree during the Christmas season, keep the tree well watered and dispose of it after two weeks or sooner if the needles begin to drop.

• Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet where children cannot get to them.

• If you smoke, use deep ashtrays and make sure that you put it out completely every time.

• When using a fireplace, set a metal or glass screen in front to prevent any sparks from escaping.

For more safety tips, visit the NFPA website.