The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire
- 1.Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
- 2.Teach children what smoke alarms sound likeand what to do when they hear one.
- 3.Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
- 4.Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
- 5.Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.
- 6.Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
- 7.Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
Develop Fire-Safe Habits
- Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
- Smoking materials are the leading cause of residential fire deaths in the United States. If you smoke, take precautions: Smoke outside; choose fire-safe cigarettes; never smoke in bed, when drowsy or medicated, or if anyone in the home is using oxygen.
- Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
- Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
- Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a minute.
Protect your home
Reduce fire risks in your home
Cook more safely