Fire Tips
SMOKE DETECTORS
Smoke Detectors warn you of a fire in time for you to escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test them every month, following the manufacturer’s directions. Replace batteries at least once a year, or whenever a detector chirps to signal that the battery is low.
Protect you and your family by:
- Purchase one or more smoke detectors for your home.
- Install your detectors properly
- Identify fire escape routes and have fire drills on a regular basis
- Maintain your smoke detectors.
KITCHEN SAFETY
Unattended cooking continues to be one of the leading causes of fires throughout the country. Every year more and more people are injured or killed in fires are home. Here are a few tips to keep you from becoming a statistic.
- Put a lid on the pot or pan to smother a fire.
- Turn the burner off if it can be reached easily.
- If a fire extinguisher is within reach use it to extinguish the fire.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking.
- Remember to keep pot handles turned in to prevent small children from turning over hot water or grease on them.
- When using a microwave never put metal pots, bowls, or utensils inside. These items can cause sparks and could result in a fire.
- Create a “Kid Free Zone” around your stove. This is a three –foot area around your stove where kids are not allowed.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Keep your home safe by following these simple tips:
- Replace any appliance or electrical device with a loose or damaged cord.
- Avoid running extension cords over doorways and under carpets.
- In home with small children, plug outlet should have plastic safety covers.
- As a precaution consider plugging only one high wattage appliance into a single outlet.
- Place lamps on level surfaces and away from anything that will burn.
HEATING SAFETY
- Space heaters need space. Heaters should be a least three feet away from walls, curtains, and anything that will burn.
- Have chimneys and heating systems checked at least once a year.
- Always use the proper fuel for your heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Have a sturdy screen on your fire place.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A HOUSE FIRE
- If you smell smoke or the smoke detector goes off, call the fire department.
- Before you open the door, feel the door by using the back of your hand.
- If the door is hot or warm, do not open the door.
- If the door is cool, open it just a little to check the hallway. If you see smoke, do not leave.
- If there is not smoke in the hallway, leave and close the door. · If you can’t escape, use wet towels or tape to seal the door and any room supply vent.
- If you have a balcony and there is no fire below it, go out.
- If there is fire below, go to the window. Do not open the window, but stay near the window.
- Hang a blanket or towel out the window to let people know you are there and need help.
- Be calm and wait for someone to rescue you.
- Never use an elevator.
WHAT TO DO IF IT’S A COOKING FIRE
- Call the fire department immediately.
- Slide a pan lid over the flames to smother a grease or oil fire, then turn off the heat and leave the lid in place until the pan cools. Never carry the pan outside.
- Extinguish other food fires with baking soda. Never use water or flour on cooking fires.
- Keep the open door shut and turn off the heat to smother an oven or broiler fire.
WHAT TO DO AFTER A FIRE
- Do not enter a fire-damaged building until authorities say it is O.K.
- Have an electrician check your household wiring before the current is turned back on. Do not attempt to reconnect any utilities yourself.
- Beware of structural damage. Roofs and floors may be weakened and need repair.
- Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army, if you need housing, food, or personal items, which were destroyed in the fire.
- Call your insurance agent. Keep records of all clean up and repair costs.
- Do not throw away any damaged goods until an official inventory has been taken.
- If you are a tenant, contact the landlord.
- Secure personal belongings and move them to another location.
