Stay Safe from Fires – Tips for Families

For Kids:

• Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety: Know what your smoke alarm sounds like, and what to do when you hear it.
• Fire is Fast: Understand that in case of a fire, you may have less than two minutes to get out. Practice escaping from your home during family fire drills.
• Stay Away from Hot Things: Keep away from stovetops, heaters, and candles. Never play with matches or lighters; they are tools, not toys.

For Adults:

• Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms: Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home and inside bedrooms. Test them monthly and replace batteries as needed.
• Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan: Plan two ways out of each room. Practice escape plans twice a year with everyone in the household, including children.
• Be Kitchen-Wise: Never leave cooking unattended and keep flammable materials like towels and paper away from the stove.

Fire Escape Planning:

• Draw a Map of Your Home: Show all doors and windows. Find two ways out of each room. Make sure all paths to safety are clear.
• Choose an Outside Meeting Place: This should be a safe distance in front of your home where everyone knows to meet after escaping.
• Teach Children How to Escape: Make sure they know how to crawl low under smoke and to never go back inside a burning building.

Prevent Fire Hazards:

• Check Your Heating Appliances: Inspect and maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a professional.
• Be Careful with Candles and Smoking Materials: Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays for smoking materials.

Remember:

• Get Low and Go: In case of smoke, crawl to safety to avoid inhaling smoke.
• Stop, Drop, and Roll: If your clothes catch fire, stop immediately, drop to the ground, and roll over to extinguish the flames.