FIRE PREVENTION IN THE HOME:

According to the National Fire Protection Association:

• In 2003, 80% of fires in the United States occurred in the home, resulting in 3,925 fire deaths.
• In the U.S., someone dies from a home fire roughly every 134 minutes.
• Every 20 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the nation.

With these startling statistics in mind, here are some safety tips for you:

SMOKE DETECTORS

• Smoke is responsible for three out of four deaths.
• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas.
• Test every detector at least once a month.
• Keep smoke detectors dust free.
• Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year, or sooner if the detector makes a chirping sound.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• They remain your best bet if you're on the spot when a fire begins.
• Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop.
• Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires.
• Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency.

THINKING AHEAD:

Your Exit Plan

• As with other things, the best motto is, "Be Prepared."
• Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.
• Sleep with your bedroom door closed.
  In the event of fire, it helps to hold back heat and smoke.
  But if a door feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window.
• Stay together away from the fire.
• Call 911 from another location.
• Make certain that no one goes back inside the burning building.

FIREPLACE

• Remember, you're deliberately bringing fire into your home; respect it.
• Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying.
• Don't store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace or have an exposed rug or wooden floor right in front of the fireplace.
• Install a chimney spark arrester to prevent roof fires.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

• Electricity, the silent servant, can become a silent assassin.
• It is better not to use extension cords. If you feel you must use one, make sure that it is not frayed or worn. Do not run it under a rug or twist it around a nail or hook.
• Never overload a socket. In particular, the use of "octopus" outlets, outlet extensions that accommodate several plugs, is strongly discouraged.
• Do not use light bulb wattage which is too high for the fixture. Look for the label inside each fixture which tells the maximum wattage.
• Check periodically for loose wall receptacles, loose wires, or loose lighting fixtures. Sparking means that you've waited too long.

KITCHEN

• Careless cooking is the number one cause of residential fires. Never leave cooking unattended.
• CHILDREN and GRANDCHILDREN
• One-fourth of all fire-deaths of children are from fires started by children.
• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
• Never leave children unattended with fire or space heaters.

SMOKING

• If you actually believe that you're immune from cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and other ills, at least worry about burning to death.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Don't smoke when you are drinking or are abnormally tired.
• Use large, deep ashtrays, and empty them frequently.