Home Fire Prevention and Preparedness
Fires and burns continue to be a major cause of unintentional injury death at home.
Particularly at risk are the very young and the very old.
Facts
- 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home (U.S. Fire Administration)
- The leading cause of fire deaths is careless smoking (U.S. Fire Administration)
- Having a working smoke detector more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire
(U.S. Fire Administration)
- 3,675 people died in fires in the United States in 2005 – one person every 143 minutes.
While the number of fires increased in 2005 over 2004, the number of deaths decreased
5.8 percent. (National Fire Protection Association).
- In 2005, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States – down from
117 in 2004 (U.S. Fire Administration)
- Adults 65 and older are more than twice as likely to die in fires as the overall
population. (U.S. Fire Administration study)
- People born in 2003 have a 1-in-1,100 lifetime odds of dying due to exposure to
smoke, fire or flame. Odds in any given year are 1:86,000. (National Safety Council)
Follow the safety tips listed below to protect yourself and your family.
Smoke Detectors
- One is definitely NOT enough! Every home should be equipped with smoke detectors
on every level, particularly outside of sleeping areas.
- Ensure that your smoke detectors are tested monthly and batteries are replaced twice
a year. Change batteries when you change your clocks.
- Encourage children to help test the smoke detectors. Familiarize them with the sounds
of the alarm(s).
Fire Extinguishers
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen (one rated for grease fires
and electrical fires.)
- It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers near the furnace, garage, and anywhere
else a fire may start. These extinguishers are affordable, life-saving equipment
for your home.
- Make sure every able-bodied member of the family is trained and familiar with the
proper way to use the fire extinguishers.
- If you must use an extinguisher, make sure you have a clear way out in the event
you can't put out the fire.
Flammables
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach and out of sight of children!
- Smoking is dangerous! No one should ever smoke in bed. Make sure that cigarettes/cigars
are extinguished properly before dumping ashes.
- Avoid grease build-up in the kitchen and on appliances. Cooking fires are common.
Don't leave food cooking on stovetops unattended.
- If a fire should occur, suffocate it with a pot/pan lid or a cookie sheet, or close
the oven door.
- Around the holidays, Christmas trees are a primary concern. Consider using an artificial
tree that is labeled "flame resistant." If you do use an evergreen, water it daily
to keep it from drying out. Make sure to inspect stringed lights and window ornaments
annually for deterioration.
- Dispose of materials from fireplaces and grills in non-flammable containers.
- Never put children to sleep in "day" clothes. Fire-retardant sleepwear can make
a difference in burn outcomes.
Electrical Safety and Heat Sources
- Make sure your electrical system is not being over-taxed. This can cause a fire.
Do your lights dim or flicker when extra appliances are plugged in? If you have
questions or concerns, consult a certified electrician.
- Inspect wires. If you find any worn or exposed wiring from appliances, discontinue
their use immediately! A fire is imminent!
- Space heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Make sure yours will automatically
shut off if tipped over. Consult the operating instructions to make sure you are
using space heaters, gas fire places, and other heat sources as intended by the
manufacturer. Keep all flammable materials away from heat sources! If there are
young children in the house, make sure space heaters and hot water heaters are inaccessible.
- Chimney fires are common. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
- Keep appliances unplugged when not in use.
Escaping a Fire
- Keep bedroom doors shut while sleeping. If you think there is a fire, feel the door
and knob for heat before opening.
- Have an escape route for each area of the home and a designated meeting place outside.
- Draw a map—one that's easy for all members of the family and visitors to understand.
- When planning for a family with young children, be sure to teach them not to hide
from fire or smoke and to go to firefighters who are there to help them.
- All children should be familiar with the ideas of "crawling underneath the smoke"
to escape a fire. "Stop, drop and roll" is another safety principle that must be
ingrained into children's minds.
- Multi-storied buildings are of special concern. Ensure that everyone is familiar
with how to use an escape ladder if necessary.
- Make sure every sleeping room has two means of escape in the event of a fire. Windows
provide a secondary means of escape. Ensure they are in proper working order, are
not painted shut, and guards are able to be disengaged in case of fire and escape
is necessary through that window.
- Everyone must understand that once you escape, you must never reenter a burning
building—no matter what you might have left behind.
- Call emergency responders (911) from a neighbor's house.
- Make sure to practice your escape plan periodically. It will be easier to remember
in case of an emergency.
- Young children should know their street address and last name (and, of course, how
to dial 911).
- After you've planned for the family, don't forget the pets. Alert firefighters about
your pets. Don't rely on window or door decals to alert firefighters—such decals
are often found to be outdated. In the event your pet suffers from smoke inhalation,
rush the animal to the vet.
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