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Fire Prevention Safety Procedures

Fire prevention is essential to maintain the safety of your family and home. Fire prevention is easy and affordable; the lives of you and your family could be at stake. Take necessary steps to prevent fires and promote safety in the event of a fire, such as proper use of alarms, detectors, and extinguishers; escape planning; fire education and a respectful use of fire and electricity.

  1. Smoke Alarms/ Carbon Monoxide Detector

    • The National Fire Protection Association regards carbon monoxide as a silent killer. Place smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in each bedroom and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms monthly; replace batteries in the smoke alarm yearly.

    Fire Extinguishers

    • Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen, garage or near the furnace. Everyone in the household should be aware of the location and be knowledgeable about how to use the fire extinguisher, prior to an emergency.

      Purchase fire extinguishers labeled with the ABC rating; they are rated to fight the causes of most household fires. Test your fire extinguishers regularly, and replace them every seven years.

    Escape Planning

    • Develop an escape plan that everyone knows. Practice this plan and establish a meeting place to go to after the escape. Ensure that everyone understands how quickly a fire can burn out of control, and how dark it will be in a fire.

    Fireplace

    • Clean your flue regularly. Have the fireplace inspected at the beginning of each season. Do not keep anything flammable in front of the fireplace, including matches, kindling or newspaper.

    Space Heaters

    • Do not leave space heaters turned on when they are unattended or when you are asleep. Ensure that the space heater is placed where it is not pressed against anything or cannot be knocked over. Space heaters should be replaced as they age, with space heaters that have built-in fire prevention features.

    Children

    • Children need to be aware of the potential dangers of fires and how fires are started. Keep matches, lighters and gasoline out of reach from children. Do not leave children unsupervised around candles, fires or space heaters. Ensure that children know what to do in case of a fire by practicing and drills.

    Electrical

    • Have your electrical wiring checked regularly by a professional electrician. Do not use extension cords permanently. Ensure that your extension cords are of high quality and are new and plyable as opposed to old and cracking. Never use indoor extension cords for outdoor use. Check outdoor decorative lighting for potential faulty sections regularly.

    Smoking

    • Do not smoke in bed. Do not smoke when you are excessively tired or intoxicated. When you dispose of cigarette butts, wet them first before you place them in the trash. Cigarette butts can burn unnoticed for many hours after the smoker has disposed of them, thus proper disposal is crucial.

    Kitchen

    • Never leave anything cooking in the kitchen unattended. The National Fire Protection Association reports three out of four fires begin in the kitchen. Never attempt to put a grease fire out with water. Place a pot lid or baking soda on the fire and immediately call "911." Do not wear loose clothing while you cook, since it can catch on fire unnoticed.

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