Fire Safety
Fire Hazards
The best way to protect yourself from fire is to understand how it works.
- Fire is FAST. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
- Fire is DARK. Fire produces gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by three-to-one.
- Fire is HOT. Inhaling the super hot air can sear your lungs.
Fire is the number one emergency in the United States. Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die in fires, more than 25,000 are injured in fires and more 100 firefighters are killed while on duty. Most of these deaths occur in residences and could have been prevented.
Safe Home Heating
Many home fires are caused by home heating methods, especially when the power goes out:
- Never use a stove top or oven to try and heat your home
- Keep all space heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials
- All heating devices need to be plugged directly into the wall, no extension cords or power strips
Space Heaters
- Always make sure your space heater has 3 feet of space from anything that can burn
- Make sure your space heater has safety features like automatic shut-off
Install Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- Try and choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds the entire home is alerted
- Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home
- Test your smoke alarms every month
- When you hear a smoke alarm, you may have less than 2 minutes to get everyone outside safely