Fire Safety Tips

There are many informational resources available to enhance your safety and protection.  Utilize these resources, and remember, in the event of an emergency dialing 9-1-1 is always the fastest, most direct way to receive help.

Fire Safety Tips:

• Each level of the house should have a smoke alarm. Test the batteries monthly and change them twice a year, preferable when time changes for Daylight Savings Time.

• Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street so that emergency services can see it easily.

• Try to have two or more exits from every room. Windows should open easily.

• Have a fire escape ladder in a two-story house.

• Do not store gas, propane or other flammable liquids in dwellings, including attached garages.

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.

• Keep fire extinguishers and chimney flares handy and know how to use them.

• Have a fire escape plan and stage drills to practice it. Have a designated meeting place when you get outside of the house so that you can account for everyone. This keeps firefighters or others from needlessly entering a structure to look for victims who aren’t in any danger.

• Sleep with bedroom doors closed to help keep smoke and fire from spreading.

• If a smoke alarm goes off, roll out of bed and stay close to the floor.

• Crawl to the door and see if it is warm to the touch. If it is warm escape through a window.

• If your clothing catches fire, DO NOT RUN! Stop, drop and roll! Cover your face with your hands. Use a blanket or a heavy coat to smother fire on another person’s clothes.

• Once outside, stay outside! Do not go back inside for anything, including pets. They usually find their own way out.

• Make sure your children are familiar with fire safety and their escape routes in the event of an emergency.

For more information, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has many great fire safety resources which can be found here: Public Education – NFPA

Fire Safety for Pets