Fire Prevention
Statistics
- Every 20 seconds in 2003, a fire department responded to a fire somewhere in the nation.
- Approximately 80% of those fires occurred in the home.
- Nationwide, there was a civilian fire injury every 29 minutes.
- In 2003, more than $6 million of property loss occurred in residential fires.
Prevention Tips
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, garage and basement.
- Form an escape plan with your entire family – include two escape routes for each room.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year.
- Store all flammables in original, marked containers away from sources of heat or flame.
- Always use a fire screen when you burn in your fireplace.
- Do not store any combustible items near the fireplace, portable heaters or baseboard heaters.
- Water Christmas trees often, and turn off decoration lights when you go to sleep.
- Never overload electrical outlets.
- Do not leave candles burning when you go to sleep or leave the house.
- Use a fireproof safe to protect valuables and important records.
Fire Escape Plan
- Have two ways out of every room.
- Install working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including outside of every sleeping area.
- Post the emergency number for the fire department on every telephone.
- Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year with the whole family.
- Assign someone to assist small children or handicapped residents.
- Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut, and doors are all opened easily.
Carbon Monoxide Protection
- Have your furnace checked annually by a professional.
- Obtain annual inspections for heating system, chimneys, and flues and have them cleaned by a qualified technician.
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year.
- Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.
- Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle or camper.
- Make sure stoves and heaters are vented to the outside and that exhaust systems do not leak.
- Do not use un-vented gas or kerosene space heaters in enclosed areas.
- Never leave a car or lawn mower engine running in a shed or garage, or any enclosed space.
- Make sure your furnace has adequate intake of outside air.