| In 2008, there were 3,320 fire-related deaths in the United States, and 84% of those deaths were in residence fires. An additional 16,705 people were injured and 118 firemen killed. Fire detectors and alarms as part of a home security system can make the difference between safety and tragedy. But the best defense is to prevent house fires in the first place. Here are some tips to get you started.
* Never, ever smoke in bed
* Never, ever leave candles burning unattended
* Have your heating system inspected to insure it is working properly and that there are no dangerous maintenance or condition problems
* If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney cleaned regularly to avoid dangerous creosote buildups that can quickly become raging chimney fires. Place a grate in front of a fireplace to prevent sparks or logs from escaping and setting surrounding materials on fire; use a grate even if you have glass doors that you leave open for burning
* Make sure appliances such as refrigerators, stoves or clothes dryers are not pushed directly against a wall where they can overheat
* Never overload electrical circuits or have too many devices plugged into one outlet
* Do not let grease from cooking build up in a fan filter or ducting above the kitchen stove
* Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, cellar area and garage and be sure all family members know how to use it; also consider keeping one in your vehicle
* If possible, keep bedroom doors closed while sleeping to prevent the spread of smoke and fire
* Have a family escape plan in the event of fire, including exit routes and a designated meeting place outside the home
Finally, test your smoke detectors regularly and replace the batteries in all your smoke detectors at least annually. To ensure you don’t forget, designate a specific day every year to develop this lifesaving habit – perhaps Valentine’s Day, to show your family how much you love them. |
