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HOME FIRES |
| Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined. Unfortunately, according to a poll by the American Red Cross, four out of five Americans are unaware that fires are the most common disaster in the U.S. and only 26 percent of households have a home fire escape plan. |
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| Simple Steps to Prevent Fires |
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Keep all sources of fuel (paper, clothing, bedding and carpets or rugs) at least three feet away from all heat sources when cooking, or using alternative heating like a space heater. |
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Provide constant adult supervision during cooking or in rooms with lit candles or fires. Do not leave burning candles unattended. |
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Keep matches and lighters away and out of reach of children. |
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Teach young children to tell an adult if they see matches and lighters and not to touch them. |
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Teach adolescents to resist peer pressure and not to play with fire if curious or bored. |
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| Simple Steps to Make Your Home Safer |
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Smoke alarms can help save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. Test smoke alarms once a month, and replace batteries when necessary—replacing all batteries at least once a year. |
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Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in proper use of your extinguishers. |
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Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home. |
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Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floors. |
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Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after evacuating. |
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Practice your plan, especially with children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets, at least twice a year and revise as necessary. |
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| Safety Tips during a Home Fire |
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Once you are out, stay out. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home. |
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If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit. If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If the door is warm, use your second way out. |
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If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a brightly colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are. |
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