Holiday Home Fire Safety
ByFire Safety Training – CPRescue
More home fires occur during the holidays than any other day in the year. Each year approximately 3,500 Americans die from fires. Our best protection from home fires is to stop them before they start. A good fire prevention plan will help reduce injuries and death. But just in case, a proper escape plan, that is practiced and known by all who live in the home, is critical. A small fire can escalate so quickly that black smoke could fill your home in less than a few minutes. Make sure your plan includes the extra needs for the young and elderly.
The U.S Fire Administration offers these suggestions:
• Use extra care when cooking, a majority of home fires start in the kitchen.
• Do not leave items alone while cooking on a stove top. Remember loose fitting clothing increases your risk of a potential fire/burn.
• Never use your oven or stove to heat your home.
• Make it a habit to double check your oven and all appliances are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Keep at least three (3) feet of distance between drapes and heaters or fireplaces.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire. Change the batteries in these alarms at the time we change the clocks for Daylights Savings. I know it seems a bit extreme, but a smoke alarm is only as good as its working batteries. Let’s be overly safe than sorry.
• Keep at least three (3) feet of distance between drapes and heaters or fireplaces.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords.
• Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire. Change the batteries in these alarms at the time we change the clocks for Daylights Savings. I know it seems a bit extreme, but a smoke alarm is only as good as its working batteries. Let’s be overly safe than sorry.
