Fire Safety Tips for You and Your Family

IN AN EMEGENCY CALL 911

·     In case of fire go to your neighbor’s home to call;

·     Teach your children how to get emergency help.

PROTCT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRES

·     Create a safety zone around your home by clearing flammable vegetation;

·     Keep your roof clear of leaves and needles;

·     Discuss community fire safety with your neighbors.

STORE ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN AN

APPROVED SAFETY CONTAINER OUTSIDE THE HOME

·     Use it as a motor fuel only, not for cleaning.

FIRE WON’T WAIT, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE

·     Have an escape plan that includes two ways out of each room and a meeting place outside the home;

·     Practice it with the whole family at least twice a year.

CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE

·     If you encounter smoke on your way out of a fire, use your second way out instead;

·     If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.

STOP DROP AND ROLL

·     If your clothes catch on fire, stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and roll over and over to smother the flames.

COOL A BURN

·     If someone gets burned, place the wound in cool water for 10 - 15 minutes;

·     If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately. Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees F (49 C) or below.

WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES

·     Install them on every level of your home and each bedroom and outside each sleeping area;

·     Test them monthly and install new batteries when you change the time on your clocks in the spring and fall.

USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY

·     Don’t overload extension cords or run them under rugs;

·     Replace any cord that is cracked or frayed. If an appliance smokes or

has an unusual smell, unplug it and have it repaired by a professional.

·     Use the proper size fuses in your fuse box.

ENJOY A SAFE HOLIDAY

·     Water your christmas tree daily and be sure it is placed away from exits and heat sources;

·     Make sure holiday lights are labeled by an approved testing laboratory and in good condition.

SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE

·     Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet (1m) from anything that can burn;

·     Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed and keep children and pets well away form them.

MATCHES OR LIGHTERS CAN BE DEADLY IN THE HANDS OF A CHILD

·     Use child resistant lighters.

·     Store all matches and lighters up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

CHANGES THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

CHANGE YOUR SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES

The IAFC and fire experts nationwide encourage people to change smoke alarm batteries at least annually. An easy way to remember to change your batteries is when you turn your clock back in the fall.  Replace old batteries with fresh, high quality alkaline batteries to keep your smoke alarm going year long.

CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

After inserting a fresh battery in your smoke alarm, check to make sure the smoke alarm itself is working by pushing the safety test button.

COUNT YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom and one outside each sleeping area.

VACUUM YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

Each month, clean your smoke alarm of dust and cobwebs to ensure their sensitivity.

CHANGE YOUR FLASHLIGHT BATTERIES

To make sure your emergency flashlights work when you need them, use high quality alkaline batteries. Note: Keep a working flashlight near your bed, in the kitchen, basement and family room, and use it to signal for help in the event of a fire.

INSTALL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Install a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen and know how to use it. Should you need to purchase one, the IAFC recommends a multi or all purpose fire extinguisher that is listed by an accredited testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory.

PLAN AND PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE

Create at least two different escape routes and practice them with the entire family.  Children are at double the risk of dying in a home fire because they often become scared and confused during fires. Make sure your children understand that a smoke alarm signals a home fire and that they recognize its alarm.

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