Home Fire Safety: Essential Tips to Protect Your Family and Property

1. Cooking: Unattended cooking is a leading cause of house fires, with pots and pans left on stoves or ovens left unattended being common culprits.
2. Heating: Heating equipment such as space heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces, when not used properly or maintained adequately, can lead to fires, especially in colder months.
3. Electrical Malfunctions: Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, damaged electrical cords, and malfunctioning appliances can spark electrical fires.
4. Smoking: Careless smoking, especially indoors or near flammable materials like bedding or furniture, can ignite fires.
5. Candles: Unattended or improperly placed candles pose a fire risk, particularly if they come into contact with flammable materials or are knocked over.
6. Children Playing with Fire: Children playing with matches, lighters, or other flammable materials can accidentally start fires.
7. Flammable Liquids: Improper storage or use of flammable liquids like gasoline, propane, or solvents can lead to fires if they ignite.
8. Grilling: Grilling accidents, such as flare-ups or grill misuse, can result in fires, particularly if the grill is placed too close to flammable materials or structures.
9. Christmas Trees and Decorations: Dry Christmas trees, overloaded electrical circuits from festive decorations, or candles near flammable decorations can lead to holiday-related fires.
10. Arson: Deliberately set fires, whether for criminal intent or mental health reasons, are unfortunately a significant cause of house fires.

Awareness of these common causes can help individuals take preventive measures to reduce the risk of house fires and keep their homes and families safe.

1. Install Smoke Alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.
2. Develop a Fire Escape Plan: Create a fire escape plan with your family, outlining two ways to escape from each room in the event of a fire. Practice the escape plan regularly with all family members, including children and pets.
3. Know How to Use Fire Extinguishers: Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each level of your home and learn how to use them properly. Ensure that extinguishers are easily accessible and regularly maintained.
4. Keep Flammable Items Away from Heat Sources: Store flammable items such as clothing, curtains, and towels away from heat sources such as stoves, heaters, and fireplaces. Keep a clear space of at least three feet around heaters and fireplaces.
5. Use Candles Safely: Use candles safely by placing them in sturdy holders on a flat surface, away from flammable materials and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave candles unattended and extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed.
6. Practice Safe Cooking Habits: Practice safe cooking habits, such as staying in the kitchen while cooking, keeping flammable items away from the stove, and turning pot handles inward to prevent spills.
7. Stay Aware of Electrical Hazards: Be mindful of electrical hazards in your home, such as frayed cords, overloaded outlets, and faulty appliances. Avoid using extension cords as permanent wiring and unplug appliances when not in use.
8. Close Bedroom Doors at Night: Close bedroom doors at night to help prevent the spread of fire and smoke in the event of a fire. Closed doors can provide valuable time for escape and may help contain the fire to one area of the home.
9. Keep Matches and Lighters Out of Reach: Store matches and lighters out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should only be used by adults.
10. Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.