Home Fire Safety

Follow these safety measures from the Home Safety Council to reduce the chance of fire in your home:

• Keep volatile chemicals, such as fertilizers and turpentine, in their original containers in a locked storage area separate from the home.
• Store gasoline in a garage or shed in a container approved for gasoline storage.  Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only.
• Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.
• Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
• Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
• Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
• Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
• When cooking, do not wear loose-fitting clothing, which can be ignited by hot burners or gas flames.
• Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use.
• Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
• Never leave burning candles unattended and do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms.
• Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won't catch fire, such as metal, glass, etc.
• Schedule an appointment with professionals to have chimneys, fireplaces, wood and coal stoves, central furnaces and space heaters inspected once a year and cleaned as often as necessary.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper, and always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Be careful not to overload electrical outlets, extension cords and power strips.
• Check all wires and cords for damage and cover all unused electrical outlets.
• Protect bedrooms by having arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed. Contact a professional electrician to handle this job.