Fires in the home take a great toll on life and property each year. During the five-year-period from 2005-2009, NFPA estimates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 373,900 reported home structure fires per year. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Smoking materials remain the leading cause of home fire deaths, while cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.

Installing systems such as smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, as well as identifying potential hazards, can reduce the risk of home fires and property loss, injury, or death due to fire. Nearly two-thirds of home structure fire deaths occur in homes where there was no smoke alarm, or where smoke alarms were present but failed to operate.

Escape Planning

•Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with your family.
•Draw a plan of your home, locating all possible exits.
•Keep all exits free of obstacles.
•Have the ways out of each room, but develop a primary escapem route , which should be the fastet and easiest way out of your home.
•Choose a meeting place for your family and make sure you practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

Smoke Alarms

•For maintenance of your smoke alarms, vacuum or blow dust from the alarms once a month and press the test button.
•Change the batteries on your smoke alarms twice a year, when you change the clocks.
•Replace your smoke alarms with new ones every 10 years

Cooking

•In the event of a grease fire on your stovetop, place a lid on the pan to smother and put out the fire. Never move a burning pan and never use water or a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.
•Never leave your food, grease, or oil cooking unattended.
•Wear short or tight fitting clothes when cooking.
•If your clothing catch fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL to put out the flames.
•Keep children and pets away from the stove when cooking

Smoking Materials

•Quitting is the best way to prevent fire from smoking materials.
•Use a deep, wide ashtray on a sturdy table and make sure the cigarette is completely out, every time.
•Never smoke in bed.
•Never smoke when tired.
•Never smoke when oxygen is used.

For more Fire Safety Tips click on the links below.

Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Fire Safety in the Home

Preventing Fires During Hot and Dry

Generator Safety

Extension Cord Safety

Smoke Detectors

Fire Safety in High Rise Buildings

Fire Safety During Holidays

Fire Safety For Barbeques

During Heat Wave

Fire Works Safety

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