Careless Smoking Habits

     This is easily the biggest single cause of fatal home fires.  Even if no one in your family smokes, chances are some of your guests will.  Provide plenty of safe, deep ashtrays, making sure all cigarettes are out before emptying.  Never empty ashtrays into wastebaskets.  Make a last-minute inspection before going to bed, checking in and around ashtrays.  Also check carpeting and furniture around the areas where you know people have been smoking.

     Establish a firm "NO SMOKING IN BED" rule.  And, even sitting in a chair, it is a good rule never to smoke when you are overtired or feel yourself becoming tired while watching TV or reading a book.  Be especially alert around people who have overindulged in alcoholic beverages.

Playing with Matches or Fireworks

     Matches and/or cigarette lighters should be kept in a safe place... away from children.  It's an excellent idea to discuss safe use of matches and lighters with your children.  Relate this safety with the overall safety of the home and other members of the family.  At the same time, review with them your complete program of home fire safety habits.

     Never allow children to play with fireworks without adult supervision.  Even though most really dangerous fireworks have been outlawed, some still allowed can easily start fires if not carefully used.

Matches or Cigarettes Tossed in Rubbish

     Be especially careful of matches or cigarettes while working outside the home or in the garage.  A carelessly tossed match or cigarette can easily start a fire in leaves, grass, papers, etc...or in a garage where flammables may be stored.  Buckets of sand can be strategically placed around the garage and patio to eliminate this hazard.

Thawing Frozen Water Pipes

     If your water pipes freeze up, don't try to thaw them unless you have an electrical heating unit especially designed for that purpose.  Never try to thaw pipes with an open flame; this can be extremely dangerous.  Call a plumber for help.

     The best way to deal with frozen pipes is to stop them from freezing in the first place.  Put adequate insulation around pipes that are vulnerable to cold air.  If you know a freeze is coming, keep water trickling from the faucet farthest from where a water main enters your home; that keeps water moving through most of your plumbing and discourages freezing.  Leave cabinet doors beneath a sink open to let warm air in...that will protect uninsulated pipes.

Combustible Materials

     The best way to eliminate fires caused by combustibles is to eliminated the unnecessary combustibles from your household.  Undertake a general housecleaning.  Get rid of all unnecessary things that could give fire a place to start-such as greasy or oily rages, paint, wood, paper and other general rubbish.  Check your attic, closets and basement for all combustibles.

     Pay particular attention to aerosol cans and their contents.  Store in a safe, cool, dry space.  Read and heed the instructions for storage on can.

Defective Electrical Wiring

     One of the first things to investigate when buying or renting a new home is the wiring.  Frayed or old wires should be replaced immediately.  Be sure your dwelling has overload protection with circuit beakers or fuses.  Then be sure that there are not too many appliances being used on each circuit.  If a fuse blows or circuit breaks, find the cause and correct it before replacing the fuse or resetting the circuit.  Make sure you have sufficient electrical outlets and that they are not overloaded.  If there's's any doubt in your mind, have your property inspected by an electrician to determine its safety.  The few dollars it will cost is money well spent for safety.

Faulty Electrical Appliances

     Make sure that all of the appliances being used in your home are listed by Underwriters Laboratories or other recognized testing firms and that cords and plugs are not frayed or damaged. Never overload a circuit or outlet.  the same is even more important for an extension cord.  Make sure the extension cord being used is proper for the appliance.  Be sure that air conditioners, clothes dryers, washing machines and other major appliances are being used on proper circuits.

Over-heated or Improperly Constructed Heating Units

     This is another high-hazard area.  Yet it needn't be with proper maintenance steps.  All heating units should be inspected every year to insure proper working order.  Obviously the best time to have them checked is just prior to the heating season.  Flues and chimneys should also be inspected and cleaned if needed.  Older fireplace bricks and chimneys should be checked for faults and corrected prior to using.  Portable heating units should be placed in a safe area, and used strictly according to manufacturer's recommendations.  They should be listed by Underwriters Laboratories and the Factory Mutual Association.

Open Flames and Sparks

     Fireplaces should be properly screened to prevent flying sparks.  Flammable liquids should never be used to start or stimulate fires.  Keep dampers open.  Use extreme caution in cooking in fireplaces.  Never leave children unattended roasting marshmallows or cooking popcorn in the fireplace.  

     Fondue or chafing dishes should be placed on a heat-resistant tray.  Keep fluid level no more than half-way filled to eliminate spill-over and resulting in fires.

Defective or Overheated Cooking Equipment

     If fire develops on your stove or in a pan, try to smother it with a lid.  If this fails, use a dry chemical or carbon dioxide type fire extinguisher.  Baking soda is good for smaller fires.  If a fire develops in the oven, turn off the heat and close the door.  If the fire does not go out, open the door slowly and use the fire extinguisher.  If you have a fire in a pan, never try to carry the pan outside.  Also, never pour water over a grease fire.  This will cause a spattering and possible spreading of the fire.

     If you detect the least odor of gas, call your local gas company immediately and report it.  Don't use your stove or oven until the unit has been checked for gas leaks.

Improper Use of Flammable Liquids

     Careless handling and storage of flammable liquids are a major cause of home fires and deaths.

     Gasoline vapors can travel considerable distance, usually near the floor.  Since gasoline burns violently, using it as a fuel or solvent is extremely hazardous.  The best rule for using gasoline in a home is: DON'T.  Make sure it is stored in a approved container in a well-ventilated area where tipping or accidental damage is unlikely---outside the home.  And never carry it in your trunk or car.

     Kerosene, cleaning fluids and other combustibles are not nearly as flammable as gasoline but should be treated with equal respect.

Develop an Escape Plan

     Even well-protected, safety-conscious homes can still experience the tragedy of fire.  Knowing what to do if fire strikes is an important as taking preventive measures.  Planning the escape route is vital.  Once it is planned, hold practice drills so that everyone in the family knows just what to do.  This practice can mean the difference between live and death in your family in the event of a fire.

• Install smoke detectors - at least on for each level of your home - and test them periodically to make sure they are working.

• Draw a floor plan and go over it with your family pointing out escape routes from every room, paying particular attention to the bedrooms.  Fires at night account for most of the serious disasters.

• Make sure everyone knows how to open all windows and doors.  If necessary, glass should be broken with a heavy object, being careful to break off jagged edges before exiting.

• Provide escape ladders for second story window if a porch or garage roof or other such means of exit is not available.

• Be sure everyone know how to test a door before opening it.  Feel the knob or door itself.  If it is warm, do not open it.  Use an alternate escape.  If it is normal temperature, open it slowly to prevent a sudden surge of heat or flame from coming in.

• If you cannot get out of a room by the door, block cracks with clothes or bedding to keep out smoke.  If smoke is filling the room, crawl with your head near the floor under the smoke (since heat and smoke rise); head for the planned exit window.

• Instruct family members tat speed is of the utmost importance.  And, once out of the building, have a pre-planned meeting place to make sure everyone has exited.  Don't go back in once you're out.

Once It's Over

     Recovery should begin as soon as possible.  Once you've seen that everyone is safely outside, stick around so the firemen can get information they need.  They will want to know if anyone remains inside or needs first aid.

     Contact your insurance agent at once.  The sooner you do, the sooner he can start helping you get resettled and reimbursed.  Your agent may also be valuable help in minimizing further damage.

     If needed, he can also help you find temporary quarters.  Claims people may issue emergency checks or guarantees to motel owners if you are short of cash at the time.  Cooperate with the adjustor assigned to your case.  It's his or her job to help determine the amount of money it will take to fairly settle your loss.

Important Role of Records

     Fires can destroy important documents - deeds, checkbooks, wills, stock certificates and marriage licenses.  Be sure to keep these and all other important papers in a safe deposit box or install a fire resistant safe in your own home.  Obtain a personal household inventory form that most insurance agents will make available to you.  Complete it carefully.  some people do their inventories with photos or videotapes, noting values and purchase dates on the backs of photos or on video soundtracks.  Whatever method you use, store your inventory in a fireproof place and update it periodically as you buy new furniture, clothing, and so on.

Please continue to check this site for new fire safety tips to share with your family!  We want you to be safe!