When it comes to fire safety, you shouldn’t take any chances. There are many causes of fires with which you should familiarize yourself. Use these fire prevention tips to keep your home and family safe at all times.
Home Fire Safety Tips
You’ll want to install smoke alarms on each level of the home, as well as each bedroom and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms a minimum of once a month month, and change the batteries when needed.
Practice your fire escape plan twice a year with the whole family. If a fire breaks out: GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside.
Share these helpful tips to stay safe at all times.
Cooking Fire Prevention
- Be alert! Do not cook sleepy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs..
- Keep an eye on your food while frying, grilling, or broiling. If you leave the kitchen, for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.
- When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you.
- Keep flammable materials — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
If you have a grease cooking fire…
- On the stovetop, smother the flames with a lid and turn off the burner.
- Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…
- Act quickly and get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 911 from outside the home.
Candle Fire Safety
- Blow out candles before leaving the room or falling asleep. Approximately 1/3 of home candle fires occur in the bedroom.
- Keep candles 12 inches or more away from anything that can burn.
IF YOU BURN CANDLES, be sure to…
- Use sturdy candle holders that won’t be easily knocked over.
- Use caution when lighting candles carefully. Be mindful of hair and loose clothing.
- Extinguish the flame before the candle burns all the way down to the holder or container.
- Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
- Instead of candles, keep flashlights and battery-powered lighting handy for power outages.
Electrical Fire Safety
- Leave all electrical work to a qualified electrician.
- When buying or remodeling, have qualified private inspector examine the electrical system.
- Only use one heat-producing appliance (ex. toaster, space heater, etc.) in an outlet at a time.
- Never plug major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) into extension cords or plug strips. These should go directly in the outlet.
- Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to shut off electricity when a dangerous surge occurs.
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements to reduce the risk of shock. Any outdoor outlet receptacles should be GFCI protected.
- Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month.
- Never run electrical cords across doorways or under carpets.
- Only use extension cords as a temporary solution. Hire a qualified electrician to install more receptacle outlets to eliminate the use of extension cords.
- Use light bulbs of the proper wattage.
Fire Prevention Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Preventing a fire takes a bit of effort and thought. However, the hassle is worth it, as the alternatives can have detrimental consequences. We hope these fire prevention tips help you around the home! And as always, contact Forefront Building & Restoration for any of your fire damage needs.
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