What to do Before a Fire
The following are things you can do to protect
yourself, your family, and your property in
the event of a fire:
Smoke Alarms
* Install smoke alarms. Properly working smoke alarms
decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.
* Place smoke alarms on every level of your
residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the
ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from
ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at
the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in)
the kitchen.
* Test and clean smoke alarms once a month
and replace batteries at least once a year.
Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.
Escaping the Fire
* Review escape routes with your family. Practice
escaping from each room.
* Make sure windows are not nailed or painted
shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have
a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily
opened from the inside.
* Consider escape ladders if your residence
has more than one level, and ensure that burglar
bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block
outside window entry are easily opened from the
inside.
* Teach family members to stay low to
the floor (where the air is safer in a fire)
when escaping from a fire.
* Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash,
such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate.
Flammable Items
* Never use gasoline, benzine, naptha, or
similar flammable liquids indoors.
* Store flammable liquids in approved containers in
well-ventilated storage areas.
* Never smoke near flammable liquids.
* Discard all rags or materials that have
been soaked in flammable liquids after you have
used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a
metal container.
* Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters
on top. The chimney should be at least three feet
higher than the roof. Remove branches hanging above
and around the chimney.
Heating Sources
* Be careful when using alternative heating sources.
* Check with your local fire department on
the legality of using kerosene heaters in your
community. Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside,
and be sure they have cooled.
* Place heaters at least three feet away
from flammable materials. Make sure the floor
and nearby walls are properly insulated.
* Use only the type of fuel designated for
your unit and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
* Store ashes in a metal container outside
and away from your residence.
* Keep open flames away from walls, furniture,
drapery, and flammable items.
* Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
* Have heating units inspected and cleaned
annually by a certified specialist.
Matches and Smoking
* Keep matches and lighters up high, away
from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
* Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.
Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays. Douse
cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
Electrical Wiring
* Have the electrical wiring in your residence
checked by an electrician.
* Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed
wires or loose plugs.
* Make sure outlets have cover plates
and no exposed wiring.
* Make sure wiring does not run under rugs,
over nails, or across high-traffic areas.
* Do not overload extension cords or outlets.
If you need to plug in two or three appliances,
get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit
breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
* Make sure insulation does not touch
bare electrical wiring.
Other
* Sleep with your door closed.
* Install A-B-C-type fire extinguishers in
your residence and teach family members how to
use them.
* Consider installing an automatic fire
sprinkler system in your residence.
* Ask your local fire department to inspect
your residence for fire safety and prevention.
What to do During a Fire
If your clothes catch on fire, you should:
* Stop, drop, and roll - until the fire
is extinguished. Running only makes the fire
burn faster.
To escape a fire, you should:
* Check closed doors for heat before you
open them. If you are escaping through a closed
door, use the back of your hand to feel the top
of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between
the door and door frame before you open it. Never
use the palm of your hand or fingers to test
for heat - burning those areas could impair
your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders
and crawling).
Hot Door Cool Door
Do not open. Escape through a window. If you
cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored
sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters
to your presence. Open slowly and ensure
fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape
route. If your escape route is blocked, shut
the door immediately and use an alternate escape
route, such as a window. If clear, leave
immediately through the door and close it
behind you. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and
heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near
the floor.
* Crawl low under any smoke to your exit -
heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first
along the ceiling.
* Close doors behind you as you escape
to delay the spread of the fire.
* Stay out once you are safely out.
Do not reenter. Call 9-1-1
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