Home Fire Safety
Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death in the home; at least 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in residences.
Residential fires account for approximately 3/4 of reported structure fires in a year.
You can help increase the odds that a fire in your home doesn't occur.
Here are some things to consider when trying to make your home fire-safe:
Smoke detectors save lives. Make sure your home has at least 1 on every floor (including the basement) and that they work.
Never smoke when you are tired. Approximately 1/3 of all residential fire victims lost their lives in fires that were smoking-related. If you have a smoker in your home, make sure there are big, heavy ashtrays around the house.
Appliances should be unplugged when not in use. If an appliance begins to smoke or smell funny, unplug it immediately.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Do not run extension cords underneath rugs.
Keep your furnace and water heater clear of any flammable materials.
Never leave a stove or burner unattended while cooking.
Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer after each use. Dust and lint buildup is a common cause of fires.
Fire extinguishers are an important device to have on hand. If you have one in your home, make sure you know how to use it properly and also what type of fires it can be used on. You should only use a fire extinguisher on small, contained fires!
Keep matches out of reach from children.