While fire danger exists throughout the year, for one week of the year the experts place extra emphasis on fire prevention. At Liberty Mutual we hope you and your family never experience a home fire. We invite you to read and share this Top 10 list in your household so that everyone enjoys a happy and fire-free year!
1. Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
Whether you’re using a gas or electric range, cook top or other appliance, leaving it unattended is dangerous because a fire could start and grow out of control before you have time to react. Remaining in the kitchen while cooking helps you keep an eye on cooking food, children and pets, and tonight’s main dish!
2. Ensure you have smoke alarms installed and working properly.
This means at least one on every level and in or near each sleeping area or bedroom. Smoke alarms should be wired to your electrical system whenever possible (in accordance with local building codes). If you use battery-powered smoke alarms, test them every month and change batteries at least once a year. Replace the actual smoke alarm (the device itself) every ten years.
3. Use candles with caution.
If you light candles in your home, take extra care: place them in sturdy holders on stable surfaces away from flammable materials such as window coverings or furniture such as couches and mattresses. If a candle is burning, be sure to extinguish it completely when leaving the room and before going to bed.
4. Have an escape plan and practice it. An emergency evacuation plan is smart because one plan can work for you and your family in a fire as well as other dangerous situations. What should your plan include? At least two routes out of every room of your residence, a safe nearby meeting place, and a way to account for everyone in the home. Assign a person to use their cellular phone, or go to a neighbor’s home to call the fire department.
5. Use electricity wisely.
This isn’t just conserving power. It means avoiding overloading power outlets with too many appliances, ensuring powered devices are rated for in-home use and replacing or repairing damaged cords immediately whenever you notice a problem. If you’re unsure, always get a qualified electrician or repair person to advise you.
6. Extinguish smoking materials completely.
Since smoking is one of the leading causes of fire, it demands special attention. If you smoke, never leave a burning cigarette unattended and always ensure it’s completely out before walking away. Also, keep smoking materials – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, etc. out of reach of children. And never smoke in bed.
7. Maintain heaters and heating systems properly.
Whether you have a gas or oil-fired furnace, wood stove, electric baseboard heating or another primary heating source in your home, its important to take great of them. Annual inspections and seasonal replacement of filters are two ways to reduce your fire risk. Inspect space heaters carefully before and after each use. Keep all combustible materials at least three feet away and never store any flammable or combustible liquids next to them.
8. Use a home sprinkler system.
Whether you rent or own a home, home sprinkler systems are a smart new innovation. In the same way their commercial counterparts do, home sprinklers turn on automatically in the area surrounding a fire to extinguish flames and prevent damage from spreading. According to the NFPA, the combined protection of a smoke alarm and a fire sprinkler system could reduce the fire death rate per thousand fires by 82%. They’re affordable, reliable and worth checking into.
9. Make emergency calls correctly.
911 or other emergency notification systems can be a real lifesaver. Before you call, make sure you know the basics such your street address, the type of emergency and how many people are involved. This is very important for children to know and could save valuable time that enables first responders to get there more quickly. Check that your cellular phone or internet based phone service will connect to the correct emergency call center.
10. Keep garages and shops clean and organized.
While these two locations can be dangerous , they can be made more fire safe with some simple steps. For example keep flammable liquids in approved containers away from sources of heat, sparks or open flames. Clean up spills immediately and keep rags, papers and other supplies in closed metal containers.
Want to know more?
Liberty Mutual knows there ways to reduce your danger of experiencing a fire in your residence. In addition to the ones we’ve published here, additional fire prevention tips can be found online:
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www.firesafety.gov
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www.nfpa.org