Firefighter Jay Wells offers tips for establishing fire safety in the home.
- The most important safety precaution you can take against fires it to install smoke alarms. A properly working smoke alarm can usually sense smoke before you even see it.
- There should be at least one smoke alarm close to all sleeping areas and another on each additional level of the house, including the basement. Hang smoke alarms above stairwells as well.
- If you and any of your family members sleep with the door closed at night, there should be a smoke alarm inside that bedroom.
- Test smoke alarms by pushing the test button at least once a month, and replace the batteries once a year. If your alarm starts to make a chirping sound, that usually means that the batteries are wearing out.
- Replace all the smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
- Be sure to vacuum regularly--smoke alarms do not know the difference between dust and smoke.
- Make sure to have at least one fire extinguisher that is easily accessible. A good tip is to have a fire extinguisher that is multipurpose or "ABC." This type of extinguisher is able to fight and put out ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment.
- It doesn't do much good to have a fire extinguisher if you don't know how to use it, so make sure to read the directions. Every occupant of the house needs to use it.
- Know when to use a fire extinguisher. They are designed to put out a small contained fire, so they only last a couple of minutes. Unless the fire is very small, call 911. Even if you think you have put out the fire yourself, call 911 because there still may be flames lurking in the wall or in areas you cannot yet see or detect.
- Every family should have a written escape plan that includes a primary and secondary way out of each room. Also, make sure the exits out of the home are unobstructed and that windows are not painted or nailed shut.
- Be very careful when you burning candles. Keep them away from hanging curtains and other dangling items.
- Make sure all appliances are turned off and unplugged before you leave the house. This includes items such as toaster, curling irons, coffee makers, tools and glue guns.
- If you use a space heater, make sure there is at least three feet of clear space around it, as they can produce temperatures strong enough to ignite ordinary home furnishings.
- Extension cords are only a temporary power source. Do not use them as a permanent solution.
