DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR HOME!

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DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR HOME!
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FIRE PREVENTION STARTS WITH YOU!
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Fire Prevention Checks

• Install smoke alarms near sleeping areas.
  Maintain the regularly.
• Keep bedroom doors closed at night.
• Dont smoke in bed.
• Be sure cigarettes are completely extinguished
  before disposing. Use large, non-
  combustible ashtrays.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of
  children.
• Combustible materials, such as oily rags,
  petroleum-based products, etc., should be stored
  in special containers or disposed.
• Disconnect and repair or discard electrical
  equipment that overheats.
• Correct possible ignition sources, such as worn
  or frayed extension cords.
• Exit routes should be unobstructed.
• Exit lights should be in good working order and
  lighting in corridors and stairwells should be
  adequate.
• Fire and exit doors and self-closing hardware
  should be in good working order.

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Smoke Alarms

• There were 4,045 documented deaths from house
  fires in the U.S. in 2000, according to the NFPA
  (National Fire Protection Association). Through
  94 percent of homes have at least one smoke
  alarm, too often they fail to alert inhabitants
  because of dead or missing batteries.

Improper maintenance is the reason most cited for
smoke alarm failure. To properly maintain a
smoke alarm

• Test it monthly using the alarms test button
  and/or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Replace batteries at least annually, or if the
  alarm makes a chirping sound
• Change batteries immediately upon moving into a
  new home
• Never borrow batteries from your alarms for
  other purposes. Many times they dont make it
  back to the detector.
• The NFPA recommends replacing an alarm every 10
  years.
• Install a smoke alarm within 15 feet of each
  sleeping area and at the top of major access
  stairways. At a minimum, install one on each
  level of your home.
• Wall-mounted alarms should be installed so the
  top is 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
  Ceiling-mounted units should be installed at
  least 4 inches from any wall.

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Electrical Safety Tips

• Plug all heart generating devices directly into
  wall outlets.
• Dont yank on electrical cords.
• Dont hang cords over nails, pipes, or with tacks
• Use only the correct type of fuses in your
  circuit box.
• Discard frayed wiring.
• Use listed appliances. Make sure your electrical
  appliances and cords bear the seal of the
  Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Keep small appliances unplugged when not in
  use. Never yank on electrical cords.
• Do not overload circuits or sockets. Never use
  more than one high-wattage appliance on a circuit
  at a time. Use surge protection outlet bars
  meeting UL 1449 2nd Edition on sensitive
  electronic equipment, and check to make sure the
  device indicates it will not conduct electricity
  when it has failed.
• Ventilate electronic equipment. Make sure there
  is ample air circulation around TVs, VCRs,
  stereos, computers, especially if they are
  grouped near one another. Keep electronic
  equipment clear of accumulated lint that might
  decrease ventilation and add potential fuel for
  ignition.
• Do not hide extension cords. Extension cords
  should be in good condition and out in the open
  rather than under rugs, over hooks, or through
  door openings and partitions. Keep kinks out and
  use heavy-duty cord rated for electrical load
  being used. Cords are not meant to replace
  permanent wiring.

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Kitchen Safety Tips

• Cook with care. Never leave food cooking
  unattended.
• Never carry a burning pan because you could
  easily get severely burned and spread the fire
  throughout your home.
• Do not wear frilly, long-sleeved, or loose
  fitting clothing while cooking.
• In the event you clothes could catch on fire - -
  stop, drop, and roll.
• Keep handles turned toward the center of the
  stove to prevent accidental over-turning and out
  of reach of children.
• Never use water or a fire extinguisher on a
  grease fire it will cause the fire to flair and
  spread the flames. Keep a lid nearby to cover a
  pot or pan and smother the flames in the event of
  a fire.
• Keep the oven door closed in the event of a fire.
  
• Maintain your stove. Keep your stove in good
  condition and clean all grease deposits. Keep
  the cooking area clear of combustible items
  (i.e., rags, pot holders, newspaper, etc.)

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Fire Extinguisher
Equip your home with an all-purpose class ABC dry
chemical fire extinguisher. Mount extinguishers
close to exits and always keep your back to a
door or exit way should extinguishment fail.
Take a class on extinguisher use and show
everyone in the house how to se them. If you
only have one extinguisher, store it in the
kitchen were files are most likely to occur.
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Insurance
No matter how many fire prevention measures you
take in your home, there is still a chance that
fire will strike. Make sure you have adequate
insurance protection for your home and personal
property. The best kind or insurance for
virtually everyone is a homeowners or renters
policy. Homeowners insurance provides broad
protection for your home and its contents. I
also protects you in case of theft and includes
coverage for personal liability. You dont have
to be a home owner to get the same kind of
protection. A renters policy provides protection
for your personal liability. Its a good idea to
take an inventory of your personal property long
before a tragedy strikes. Keep the list in a
safe place outside your home. This will make it
much easier for you to compile a list of the
destroyed, damaged, or missing items. Keeping
photographs of each room and the contents is also
an excellent idea.
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How to Decide if it is Safe to Escape

• Feel the door for heat with the back of your
  hand.
• -If it is hot, locate and try the other escape
  route.
• -If it is not hot, stay law and get out. Close
  the door behind you (to
  compartmentalize the fire).
• If both escape routes are blocked by fire
  ad heat, stay where you are. Call 911. While
  waiting for help to arrive
• Wet towel or rags and stuff them into the cracks
  of doors to prevent smoke from entering.
• If you are in a high rise and can get to a
  window, alert others of your location.
• Wait for help to arrive.

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Evacuation Plans
Have a diagram of your home or building.

• Exits
• Know where all of your exits are located.
• Never block your exits.
• Have at least two ways out of every room.
• Never use the elevator during a high rise fire.
• Children, pets, and other valuables should be
  addressed in your evacuation plan.
• Make prior arrangements for occupants requiring
  assistance.
• High Rise Buildings
• Know the location of all fire safety devises in
  your building.
• Designate or seek volunteers that can act as
  Fire Wardens.
• Organize by work groups, floors, sections, or
  department.
• Place copies of the plan throughout your home or
  office where everyone can see it.
• Designate a safe meeting place outside the
  building
• Get out and stay out!
• Use a neighbors phone to call 911.
• Go to the designated meeting place where
  accounting for occupants is conducted.

Once every plan is completed, practice your plan
at least twice a year so that everyone if
familiar and will be ready in an emergency.