Fire Safety 101

Each year, fires take lives and burn numerous structures resulting in mounting costs that have enormous impact on families, communities and businesses. Fires also have devastating impacts on the environment and wildlife. Below is a list of zero and low cost safety precaution measures you can take to protect your home and workplace:

Candles

• Ensure candles are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down. Most importantly, keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. (Source: USFA)
• Never leave the house with candles burning and never leave burning candles unattended. (Source: USFA)

Electrical

• Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. (Source: USFA)
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord. (Source: USFA)
• When buying electrical appliances look for products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). (Source: USFA)

 Gas

• When lighting a gas fireplace or gas space heater, strike your match first, then turn on the gas. (Source: NFPA)
• Never use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater. (Source: NFPA)

 Install

• Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires. Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop and should only be used on small fires. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911. (Source: NFPA)
• Smoke alarms should be installed in each sleeping room/bedroom, outside of sleeping rooms/bedrooms and on each level of your house. Make sure to test your smoke alarms each month and change the batteries at least once a year.

Additional Tips

• Cooking equipment is also the leading cause of unreported fires and associated injuries. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. (Source: USFA)
• Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance, as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire. (USFA)
• Over half (55%) of home candle fires start because the candle is too close to some combustible material. If you do use candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down. (USFA)

Courtesy of the International Code Council