October is Fire Prevention Month

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

Fire prevention month raises awareness about fire safety and home safety to help ensure your home and family are prepared in the case of an emergency.

Fire Safety Tips:

• Install smoke detectors throughout your home, on every floor and close to bedrooms, test/clean them monthly and replace batteries at least once a year
• Install fire extinguishers in your home, keep them in the kitchen, garage and any workshop area and check them regularly to ensure they are working properly
• Teach kids about the dangers of fire
• Create a plan for escape and practice it with your family

Common Causes of Fires at Home

Clothing Dryers

• Inspect the air exhaust pipe to the outside of the home yearly to ensure that there is no blockage and clear the lint filter after each load

Flammable Liquids

• Liquids such as cleaning agents, paints, gasoline and adhesives are highly flammable and should be stored in a ventilated, cool area away from heat sources

Smoking

• If you must smoke, step outside and make sure the embers are completely out

Portable space heaters

• These account for 1/3 of heating fires. Keep any flammable items at least 3 feet away, keep the space heater on a flat and stable surface and never leave it on overnight or unattended

Electrical appliances

• Faulty appliances can also result in a fire, check them regularly

Cooking

• Most house fires occur as a result from using cooking oils, fryers, microwaves and unattended cooking. To avoid potential hazards, never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking and hot items should be kept away from loose clothing, dish towels and other fabrics that could potentially cause a fire

Fireplaces

• Have your fireplace checked yearly to ensure it is working properly. Only use when you are home and make sure the fire is out before you go to bed. To prevent sparks, use a fireplace screen.

You might think that these fire safety tips are common sense, however it can be easy to overlook them. Taking the necessary measures will save a lot of hassle, your belongings and most important, your loved ones.