Fire Prevention At Home

Electrical Safety

  • Electrical work should only be done by a qualified electrician.
  • Check your electrical cords. If they are cracked or damaged, replace them. Don’t try to repair them.
  • Don’t overload extension cords or wall outlets.
  • Never use extension cords with appliances. Plug them directly into wall outlets.

Appliances

  • Always plug major appliances, like refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers, directly into a wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord with a major appliance - it can easily overheat and start a fire.
  • Always plug small appliances directly into a wall outlet.
  • Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
  • Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
  • Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
  • Check electrical cords on appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged, and loose electrical cords. Do not try to repair them.

Outlets

  • Do not overload wall outlets.
  • Insert plugs fully into sockets.
  • Never force a three-prong plug into a two-slot outlet.
  • Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.

Extension Cords, Power Strips & Surge Protectors

  • Replace worn, old, or damaged extension cords right away.
  • Use extension cords for temporary purposes only.
  • Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.
  • Do not overload power strips.
  • Use power strips that have internal overload protection.

For more information, visit: US Fire Administration

Candle Fire Safety

Because the majority of candle fires result from human error and negligence, candle fires and their associated casualties are preventable.

  • Avoid using lighted candles.
  • Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
  • If you must use candles, ensure that they are placed in sturdy holders.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
  • Keep candles away from children and pets.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended!

Heating

  • Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months.
  • Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
  • All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1meter) away from heating equipment.
  • Have a 3-foot (1-meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
  •  Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
  •  Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.

Kitchen Safety

Have close supervision for children at all times. No child should be left alone in a kitchen under any circumstances. It only takes a second for something unwanted to happen.

  • Children should not be allowed to use the oven, stove, or any appliance in the kitchen.
  • Encouraging the kids to help out at the kitchen table, no one on the countertops where there may be easier access to potential dangers such as appliances and cooktops.
  • It’s always safest to use the back burners when cooking, and never leave anything cooking unattended in the kitchen.
  • Educate kids about never going near the oven, stove, cooktop, and/or any heat-producing appliance and create a "kid-free zone" around all of these.
  • Use oven locks, stove knob covers, and stove guards as added layers of protection around appliances. If possible remove the stove/oven knobs when not in use.
  • Never carry hot liquids (including coffee, soup, hot chocolate, hot cider, etc.) while carrying a baby or child, and never transfer hot liquids over a baby or child.
  • Always move hot items and sharp items away from the edges of counters and tables. Never use candles when there are children of any age present. And be sure to keep all matches, lighters, and any other ignition sources locked up, out of reach of the kids.
  • Never leave electrical cords dangling over the edges of countertops. Children may tug on them and pull potentially hot and/or heavy appliances over on top of them.
  • Avoid using placemats and table clothes when there are children around. They can pull on them, causing not only a huge mess, but hot items to spill.

For more information on Cooking Safety tips visit the Fire Prevention Protection Association website

Fire Safety Tips For Children

  • Young children are not able to sense danger in the same way as adults. They have a very limited ability to react quickly and properly in an emergency situation as well as little control over their environment. As a result, the risk of death and injury in a fire increases.
  • Keep matches, lighters, and other items used for ignition in a secured drawer or cabinet out of reach of children.
  • Teach your children to tell you when they find matches and lighters.
  • Always dress children in pajamas that meet Federal flammability standards. Avoid dressing children for sleep in loose-fitting, 100% cotton garments, such as oversized t-shirts.
  • Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
  • Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out.
  • Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch on fire.
  • Develop and practice a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Get out and stay out.
  • Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
  • Replace mattresses made before the 2007 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard (View standards here)
  • Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.

For more information about child safety, visit Safe Kids Safety Tips