10 Key Fire Safety Tips

11/12/2013 (Permalink)

According to the US Fire Loss Clock, in 2011, a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds.  Structural fires were reported every 65 seconds.  Tragically, fires claimed an average of nine lives per day.

Though some fire are unavoidable acts of nature or unpredictable accidents, many fires in the home and workplace are avoidable.  The following tips can help reduce the likelihood of a fire in your home or business.

1.     Watch your cooking. Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling or broiling food.  Never allow young children around the stove or oven, especially if they are not closely attended.

2.     Give space heaters space. Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that is flammable.

3.     Smoke outside. If you must smoke inside, have a sturdy, deep ashtray.  Never smoke in bed.

4.     Keep matches and lighters out of reach. Keep matches and lighters in high cabinets, preferably under a child lock.

5.     Inspect electrical cords. Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.

6.     Be careful when using candles. Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn.  Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.

7.     Have a fire escape plan. Make a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

8.     Install smoke alarms. Install alarms on every level of your home or office and inside bedrooms.  Interconnect them so they all sound at once.

9.     Test smoke alarms. Test alarms once a month.  Replace batteries once per year or as needed.

10.   Install sprinklers. Sprinklers can help maintain and sometimes even extinguish fires, giving your local fire department a better chance of saving your property.