• Never leave food unattended on a stove.

• Keep cooking areas free of flammable objects (such as, potholders and towels).

• Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking.

• Never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended.

• Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trash can, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.

• Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials (such as, drapery).

• Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home, including the basement, and particularly near rooms in which people sleep.

• Use long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons, which allow persons to stop false alarms quickly. If long-life alarms are not available, use regular alarms, and replace the batteries annually.

• Test all smoke alarms every month to ensure they work properly.

• Devise a family fire escape plan and practice it every 6 months. In the plan, describe at least two different ways each family member can escape every room, and designate a safe place in front of the home for family members to meet after escaping a fire.

• If possible, install or retrofit fire sprinklers into home.

Sources: Adapted from recommendations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fire Protection Agency, and CDC.
 

Disclaimer

* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.