Fire safety information can save your life!

A fire can engulf a structure in a matter of minutes. Understanding the basic characteristics of fire and learning the proper safety practices can be the key to surviving a house or building fire. In addition to the safety tips here, you should contact your local fire department or the American Red Cross Chapter for more information on fire safety. Click here for special Holiday safety tips.

Install smoke detectorsand check them once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.

Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in your home and teach family members to use them properly. You should always at least have one in the kitchen and another one in the garage.

Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

Develop and practice an escape plan in case of fire:

• Draw a floor plan of your home and try to have at least two ways of escaping every room. Choose a safe meeting place outside your home.
• Practice alerting other household members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom for this purpose.
• Practice evacuating your home blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by the fire will likely make it impossible to see.
• Practice staying low to the ground while escaping.
• Learn to feel all doors for heat before opening them. If the door is hot, you must find another way out.
• Learn to stop, drop to the ground and roll in case your clothing catches fire.

Post emergency numbers near telephones; however, if the emergency is a fire, you should not stay inside the building to place your call for assistance. Be sure you and your family are safe before worrying about your property.

When you are cooking, always keep the area around the stove clean and clear of combustibles, such as bags, boxes, dish towels, paper products and other appliances. If a fire does start, put a lid over the burning pan or use your fire extinguisher. Be very careful. Moving a burning pan can spread the fire, and never pour water on grease fires.

Check electrical wiring:

• Replace frayed wiring or cracked devices.
• Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails or in high trafic areas.
• Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
• All outlets should have cover plates, and there should be no exposed wiring.
• Only purchase appliances and electric devices that have been inspected and approved by a testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).