Is Your Home a Fire Hazard?

Fire can spread through a home within two minutes. But many fires can be prevented with these simple precautions.

Smoke alarms double the chance of your family surviving a fire, so you should have several.
Please don’t neglect to test them and change the batteries regularly.
You know the drill — make it a habit to change batteries twice a year when you turn your clocks.

Most home fires start in the kitchen during cooking — usually on stovetops —not in the oven. So be sure to stay in the kitchen when cooking, frying, or grilling on your stovetop.
Check for curtains, towel racks, or even paper towel dispensers sitting too close to the burners.
If your microwave is not built in, make sure it’s clear of surrounding clutter and its vents are not obstructed.
If you don’t already have one, buy a fire extinguisher to keep within easy reach while cooking.
Remember, don’t toss water on a grease fire if caught without an extinguisher. If a fire starts in a pan, put a lid on it to suffocate the flames.

Always keep anything that gives off heat at least 3 feet away from flammable materials or items.
Only plug up to one heating appliance into an outlet.
Keep portable gas generators outside and away from windows to avoid poisoning from carbon monoxide.
If you have a fireplace, ensure your chimney is checked and cleaned by a professional once a year. Use a metal or glass screen that is large enough to prevent escaping embers.
Never leave fires (or candles) burning or heating appliances plugged in, while asleep, in another room, or when you leave your home.

Check yours — in fact, check all your appliances — for testing labels that indicate you purchased them in safe working order. You may not find them on some older appliances, so consider whether it’s time to replace them or have them checked by a professional.
Make it a habit to clean out the lint screen every time you use your dryer. It may be an annoyance, but this simple action can save you much more pain and aggravation later.

Are any outlets overloaded or showing signs of wear?
Rearrange things so that as many appliances as possible have their own outlets and use extension cords to reach more distant outlets.
This option may be unsightly but avoid running extension cords under rugs.
Ensure your lamps are all using bulbs with wattage equal to or less than what the manufacturer recommends.
When it comes to electronics, unplug them when they’re not in use whenever possible.
Lastly, remember that items like televisions and computers need space from anything flammable because they can overheat!

Avoid cluttering debris or junk near your furnace or heater.
Old newspapers piled in damp, warm places can self-combust — they don’t have to be close to a heat source.
If you have gasoline or other flammable liquids at home, keep them tightly sealed in metal containers and make sure they’re far away from heat sources, including the gas or charcoal grill you love to use in the summer.
The grill should be at least 10 feet from your home and placed away from any overhead branches or structures.

Create an escape route that provides two possible exits from each room, such as a window and a door.
Avoid using any windowless rooms as bedrooms.
Keep escape routes as clutter-free as possible so no one trips and falls on the way out during an emergency.
Practice your plan at least twice a year and ensure everyone can safely escape in less than two minutes.
Remember that members of your household may need extra assistance — have a plan for who will help them and practice!