Be Prepared For a Fire

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

A homeowner should always have a list or plan for an instance of a possibility of a fire happening. Here are some great tips from the American Red Cross.

7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire:

1. Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarms test button or yell "Fire" to alert everyone that they must get out.
6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
7. Teach household member s to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Develop Fire Safety Habits:

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot such as space heaters.
• If you smoke, take precautions. Smoke outside or choose fire safe cigarettes. Never smoke in bed, when drowsy or medicated, or if anyone in the home is using oxygen.
• Use deep, sturdy ashtrays and douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach