More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The U.S Fire Administration offers the following life-saving tips that could make a
big difference for you and your community. Following these simple fire safety tips can increase survival rates dramatically.
Did you know?- Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
- Heating is the second leading cause of residential fires.
- Deaths due to fires caused by heating a home are particularly preventable.
- Having a working smoke alarm reduces one’s chances of dying in a fire by nearly a half.
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LIFE-SAVING TIPS- For increased protection, USFA recommends installing both ionization (detects fast-burning fires) and photoelectric (detects slow, smoldering fires), or dual sensor smoke alarms in the home per manufacturers’ installation instructions and applicable codes. Install smoke alarms in each bedroom.
- Kerosene heaters are not permitted in many areas. If you use a kerosene heater, use only the recommended fuel. Always refuel outdoors safely away from your home.
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace by making sure you have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Clean your chimney regularly – chimney tar build-up can ignite your chimney, roof and the whole house.
- Space heaters need space. Keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater.
- When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over. Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- For wood stove fuel use only seasoned wood, not green wood, artificial logs or trash.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke and have an escape plan already worked out. Get out, stay out.
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