During the month of October we focus on fire prevention, safety and awareness. A small fire can quickly grow into a deadly one.
To help prevent tragedy, make sure you take the time to closely inspect your home to eliminate potential hazards.
Prepare your home for an emergency by following these tips:
• Test your smoke alarms every month. Replace the batteries once a year.
• Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas and in bed-rooms.
• Plan and practice two escape routes out of each room of the house. It is important to have an alternate route in case one is blocked by fire.
• Fire-drills should be practiced at least twice a year.
• Designate an outside meeting place, so everyone can be accounted for quickly.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• Cook with pots and pan on back burners. Turn handles away from the front.• Keep matches, lighters and gasoline locked away and out of reach. Keep flammable items such as clothing, furniture, and newspaper at least three feet away from the fireplace, heater or radiator.
• Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire.
• Always turn space heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed.
• Place covers over unused electrical outlets and avoid plugging several appliances into the same electrical socket.
• Replace old or frayed electrical wires and appliance cords.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected each year.
• Consider installing sprinklers in your home.