Fire Safety Tips
The following information is compiled from information from the U.S. Fire
Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Lafayette,
Tennessee fire department.
Please keep yourself, your family,
your pets and your home
safe from household fires!
Kerosene Heaters
Be sure kerosene heaters are
legal in your area.
Use heaters only in
well-ventilated rooms.
Place heaters where they will not
be knocked over easily.
Do not use heaters to dry
clothing or other items.
Keep heaters at a safe distance
from curtains, furniture and other combustibles.
Fill only with K-1 kerosene.
Never use gasoline or camp stove
fuel.
Be sure heater has an emergency
shut off in case it tips over.
Inspect the exhaust for carbon
build-up.
It is recommended to refill
kerosene heaters outdoors and only when they are cool.
Use caution with cold fuel; it
may expand in the tank as it warms up.
Keep kerosene in approved metal
containers, in well-ventilated areas, outside the home.
Wood Stoves
Be sure wood stove is UL listed.
Make sure wood stove is properly
installed.
Make sure wood stove is at least
36 inches from any combustible surface.
Use wood stoves only in
well-ventilated rooms.
Do not use wood stoves to dry
clothing or other items.
Only use seasoned wood.
Never burn green wood or trash.
Do not burn artificial logs in a
wood stove.
Do not burn coal in a wood stove.
Do not use a flammable liquid to
start or accelerate a fire.
Clean stove pipes and chimney on
a regular basis.
Keep curtains, furniture and
kindling away.
Fireplaces
Only use seasoned wood.
Never burn green wood or trash.
Artificial logs are made of
sawdust and wax, and they burn hot. Read the package directions carefully. Do
not poke logs apart. Never use more than one log at a time.
Do not place any combustible
objects on the mantle.
Always use a protective screen.
Before you go to bed, be sure the
fireplace fire is out.
Never close the damper with hot
ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and
will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
Clean interiors, hearths and
chimneys yearly.
Never discard hot ashes inside or
near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the
home.
Safe Cooking Practices
Don’t leave food unattended on
the stove.
Make sure pot handles do not
extend over the front of the stove where the pot can be knocked off.
Keep clothing away from burners.
Keep appliances clean and free of
grease and crumbs.
Keep curtains and other
combustibles away from the stove.
Make sure the stove is off before
going to bed.
Charcoal Grills
Never use a charcoal grill
indoors. It gives off deadly carbon monoxide.
Smoke Detectors
Place smoke detectors near
bedrooms and on every floor.
Keep smoke detectors away from
air vents.
Test the batteries monthly.
Replace batteries on a regular
basis (for example, when you reset your clocks twice a year.)
Consider installing a carbon
monoxide detector.
Electrical Wiring
Replace wiring that is frayed or
cracked.
Do not place wiring under rugs,
over nails or in high-traffic areas. Avoid overloading outlets and make sure
they are cool to the touch.
Make sure extension cords are
rated for the load you are placing on them.
Electric Space Heaters
Place heaters where they will not
be knocked over easily.
Do not use heaters to dry
clothing or other items.
Keep heaters at a safe distance
from curtains, furniture and other combustibles.
Plug heaters directly into a wall
socket; do not plug into an extension cord.
Unplug heaters when they are not
being used.
If cord is damaged, get it
replaced, don’t just patch it.
Keep children and pets away from
heaters.
Never use an electric space
heater in the bathroom or near water.
Safe Smoking Habits
Never smoke in bed.
Keep ashtrays away from
upholstered furniture and curtains.
Always attend burning cigarettes.
Children and Fire Safety
Keep lighters and matches away
from children.
Teach children how to call for
emergency assistance.
Use safety plugs over unused
electrical outlets.
Home Fire Escape Plan
Sleep with bedroom doors closed.
Have an escape plan and make sure
all family members know it.
Practice the plan every six
months.
Keep emergency numbers, a whistle
and a flashlight near the telephone.
Plan for an outside meeting
place.
Never return to a burning
building.
Know how to call for emergency
assistance.
If windows are used for an escape
route, make sure they open easily.
Consider purchasing home escape
ladders.
Fire Extinguishers
Keep a fire extinguisher handy,
especially in the kitchen.
Central Heating
Make sure ducts and flue pipes
are properly supported and in good condition.
Have an annual checkup of furnace
heating controls. This should be done by a professional before the heating
season begins.
Keep trash and other combustibles
away from the heating system.
Christmas Tree Safety
Natural trees should be cut at a
45 degree angle and placed in water.
Check water supply daily and
refill as needed.
Keep tree away from sources of
heat.
Use only non-flammable
decorations.
Only use UL-approved Christmas
tree lights.
Inspect lights for frayed wire or
other defects before use.
Do not leave lights on
unattended.
If you have the old-fashioned
kind of lights that get very hot, throw them away. Lights should be cool to the
touch.
Never use candles on or around
Christmas trees.
When the tree become dry, discard
it promptly.
Candles
Never leave a lighted candle
unattended.
Be sure a candle cannot fall over
and come in contact with a combustible object.
Keep children and pets away from
candles.
Never use candles on or around
Christmas trees.
Frozen Water Pipes
Never try to thaw frozen pipes
with a blow torch.
Fire Hydrants
If you have a fire hydrant near
your house, be sure people do not park too close. Also keep the hydrant clear of
snow so it can be found if needed.
For More Information
For more information on home fire
safety, please contact your local fire department.
