Fire Safety Rules & Tips

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires were responsible for the deaths of 3,320 civilians and 118 firefighters in 2008. Eighty-four percent of these fires occurred in people's own houses, and many of them could have been prevented. Fire safety awareness not only reduces the risk of an accidental fire in your home, it saves lives.

Making Your Home Fire-Safe

• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends inspecting your home regularly to ensure that it complies with fire safety rules. During these inspections, there are a number of things you can do to verify that your home is fire-safe. First, check that you are not storing anything flammable, like clothes or blankets, within 3 feet of a stove or heater. Always make sure that your electrical cords are in good condition and are not frayed or placed beneath rugs. Additionally, your electrical sockets should not have an excess of items plugged into them. Store lighters and matches in a place where children will not find them. If you have a fireplace, use a screen when a fire is lit.

Smoke Alarms

• Working smoke alarms can be the difference between life and death.

  The National Fire Protection Association reports that from 2003 to 2006, more than 66 percent of deaths that occurred as a result of residential fires happened in homes without working smoke detectors. These devices are crucial to saving lives, as they are constantly working and can alert you to a fire even while you sleep. For smoke alarms to be effective, they must be properly installed on each floor of your home and in each bedroom. You should test your smoke alarms at least once a month and change their batteries once a year.

Fire Safety in the Kitchen

• The USFA reports that "fires resulting from cooking continue to be the most common type of fire experienced by U.S. households." When cooking, you should never leave something on the stove unattended. This is the leading cause of cooking fires. Avoid keeping pot holders, dish towels and other flammable items close to the stove, and keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.

Fire Safety for Smokers

• According to the USFA, "cigarettes and other smoking materials" are responsible for close to 1,000 fire deaths each year. If you smoke, take precautions to protect yourself and your family from an accidental fire. Smoking outside is one easy step to greatly reduce the risk of starting a fire in your home. If you smoke inside, use a stable ashtray to reduce the chance of it tipping over. Always put your cigarettes out completely, and never throw them in garbage receptacles. Never place an ashtray on a highly flammable surface, such as a couch or bed.