Find a variety of fire prevention tips for your home.
5 Tips for Home Safety
- Make sure you have at least one working smoke detector on every level of your home.
- Keep your kitchen area clean; one out of four house fires start in the kitchen.
- Maintain clear exit pathways. Can you get out?
- Maintain a minimum 18” clearance from all heat sources, like baseboard heaters, portable heaters, stovetops, electrical panels and furnaces.
- Keep doorways free and clear of storage.
- Plan and practice an escape plan with your family.
Resources
In the Kitchen
Most house fires start in the kitchen.
- Do not leave cooking pots unattended.
- Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the front of the stove.
- Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Check it annually.
Matches and Lighters
Many serious and fatal burns to children result from playing with fire. Children as young as two or three are capable of starting fires with matches or lighters.
- Store all matches and lighting devices out of reach and sight of children.
- Teach children that matches and lighters are for adult use only.
- Set a good example for your children when using fire.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
While 60 per cent of fatal fires occur in homes without smoke alarms, the majority of deaths that occur in homes with smoke alarms are due to dead or missing batteries. Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help save your life.
Home Fire Drills
Create a home fire escape plan and practice home fire drills regularly.
Plan escape routes from all rooms in the home and try to have at least two ways to exit from every room.
- After reviewing the escape plan with your family, walk through the plan together.
- When you are comfortable with the plan, practice a fire drill at night. Activate your smoke alarm when your children are sleeping, so you can practice the appropriate response to a smoke alarm.
Home Fire Sprinklers
Home fire sprinklers and smoke alarms save lives. Sprinklers can allow you to escape from a fire and minimize damage to your home. Learn about home fire sprinkler systems and maintenance.
Close Doors to Stop Fires
During a fire, close doors to rooms to slow or prevent the travel of smoke and fire. This extra time may be enough for you to escape or be rescued by the Fire Department.
Proper fire doors in commercial and multi-family buildings must always be kept closed to prevent fire spread. Do not be complacent. If they are open, close them; it is the law!
Check Hot Water Temperature to Avoid Burns
Check your hot water tank setting.
Always run cold water first and then add hot water to the desired temperature. Check the water temperature first with the back of your hand before getting into a bath.
Burns
If you get a burn, run the burned area under cool water for 10 minutes. Then, cover it with a dry, sterile dressing.
If any blistering occurs or if a significant area is affected, seek medical attention immediately or dial 911.