10 Tips To Protect Yourself Against Fire Hazards

Follow these 10 tips to help protect yourself, your family and your property against fire hazards.

•Install a fire alarm in every sleeping area and on every level of your home, and be sure to test alarms every month. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of death in a home fire in half.

•Check the manufacture date on the back of your home’s smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years! Batteries should be replaced every year.

•Never leave burning candles unattended, and always keep matches and lighters out of reach from children.

•Make a fire action plan, so every member of your household knows how to escape and where to meet outdoors in the event of a home fire.

•Over half of home heating fire deaths are caused by equipment being placed too close to things that can burn. Make sure upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding are at least three feet from heating sources.

•Remain in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove whenever you leave the kitchen, and never leave home while food is cooking.

•Inspect electrical cords regularly, and replace cords that are cracked or damaged or have broken plugs or loose connections.

•In the event of a fire, crawl to safety. Use the back of your hand to see if a door is hot before opening it. If it feels hot, try to use another exit.

•If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running will cause a fire to burn faster.

•Always turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. Space heaters are the cause of about 79 percent of fatal home heating fires.