Top Fire Safety Tips
· Working smoke detectors can reduce the risk of death in a residential fire by 40-50%.
· The best smoke detectors are those with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons. A lithium-powered battery can last up to 10 years, and a hush button allows you to quickly stop nuisance alarms that are caused by oven smoke, burnt toast, prolonged cooking, etc.
· If 10-year, long-life smoke detectors are not available, install smoke detectors that use regular batteries, preferably alkaline, and replace the batteries as necessary - and at least once a year. (A useful tip to help you remember: in the fall, when you change your clocks to standard time, change your batteries as well!)
· Test smoke detectors every month to make sure they are in proper working condition.
Prevent a fire from starting in your home
· The most common causes of residential fires are careless cooking and faulty heating equipment. When cooking, never leave food on a stove or in an oven unattended. Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves. Have your heating system checked annually, and follow manufacturer's instructions when using portable heaters.
· Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths and the second most common cause of residential fires. If you are a smoker, do not smoke in bed, never leave burning cigarettes unattended, do not empty smoldering ashes in the trash, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
· Keep matches and lighters away from children. Safely store flammable substances used throughout the home. Never leave burning candles unattended.
· For more information about fire safety, contact FIRE PREVENTION @ 989-4032
Test smoke alarms once a month
· Change smoke alarm batteries once a year - at an easy-to-remember time, such as when clocks are changed.
· Replace a smoke alarm that's more than 10 years old
· Buy a fire extinguisher, mount it, and learn how to use it. Revisit the instructions every six months.
· Never leave burning candles unattended or near combustible materials - home fires caused by candles have doubled in the past decade.
· If a fire alarm sounds, or smoke is visible, evacuate first and then call the fire department.
· Close doors behind you when leaving the room and building to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
· Plan an escape route that shows two ways out of each room.
· Identify a meeting place near the home.
· Practice an escape plan - during the day and night - at least twice a year.
· Talk to children frequently about preventing fires and escaping fires.
· Do not leave a dryer on unattended.
· Do not leave a stove or oven on unattended.
· Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from all combustible materials and never leave them on unattended.
· Never disable a smoke alarm.
· Do not overload power strips.
· Turn holiday lights off when not at home.