1. Have a fire escape plan and practice it regularly with your family.
Your fire escape plan should include two evacuation routes and a designated meeting place outside of the home in case of a fire. Make sure everyone in your family knows the escape plan and practice it regularly.
2. Make sure all smoke detectors are in working order and install them on every level of your home, including the basement.
Smoke detectors provide an early warning of a fire, so it’s important to have them installed on every level of your home, including the basement. Test smoke detectors regularly and change the batteries when necessary.
3. Keep flammable materials like gasoline, propane tanks, and fireworks in storage containers that are tightly sealed and out of reach of children or pets.
Flammable materials should be stored in containers that are tightly sealed and out of reach of children or pets. This will help reduce the risk of fires starting accidentally.
4. Cover all electrical outlets with safety plugs to prevent sparks from occurring.
Covering electrical outlets with safety plugs can help prevent sparks from occurring that could potentially start a fire.
5. Clean stovetops and ovens regularly to avoid grease build-up that can lead to fires.
Grease build-up on stovetops and ovens can easily ignite and cause a fire. Be sure to clean these areas regularly to reduce the risk of a fire happening.
6. Don’t leave appliances or candles burning unattended.
Leaving appliances or candles burning unattended can increase the risk of a fire starting accidentally. Be sure to turn off all appliances and candles when you’re not using them.
7. Regularly change the batteries in your smoke detectors and test them to make sure they’re working properly.
Smoke detectors typically have a battery life of about 10 years, but it’s important to test them regularly to make sure they’re still working properly. Changing the batteries regularly will help ensure that your smoke detectors will continue to function in the event of a fire.
8. Keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location and know how to use it properly.
A fire extinguisher can be used to put out small fires before they get out of control. It’s important to keep one in an easily accessible location and know how to use it properly in case of an emergency.
9. Dispose of ashes from cigarettes, wood-burning stoves, or fireplaces in a metal container that is kept outside of the home.
Ashes from cigarettes, wood-burning stoves, or fireplaces can easily ignite and start a fire. Be sure to dispose of them in a metal container that is kept outside of the home to reduce the risk of a fire.