1. Working Together for Home Fire Safety
A Factsheet on Home Fire Prevention
M
ore than 4,000 Americans die each year in res and 20,000 are injured. An overwhelm-
ing number of res occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive
a re. It’s not a question of luck. It’s a matter of planning ahead.
EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE PLAN YOUR ESCAPE
AT LEAST ONE WORKING Practice an escape plan from every
SMOKE ALARM room in the house. Caution everyone
Buy a smoke alarm at any hardware to stay low to the oor when escaping
or discount store. It’s inexpensive from re and never to open doors
protection for you and your family. that are hot. Select a location where
Install a smoke alarm on every level of everyone can meet after escaping the
your home. A working smoke alarm house. Get out then call for help.
can double your chances of survival.
Test it monthly, keep it free of dust and CARING FOR CHILDREN
replace the battery at least once a year. ALTERNATE HEATERS Children under ve are naturally
Smoke alarms themselves should be • Portable heaters need their space. curious about re. Many play with
replaced after ten years of service, or as Keep anything combustible at least matches and lighters. Tragically,
recommended by the manufacturer. three feet away. children set over 20,000 house res
every year. Take the mystery out of re
PREVENT ELECTRICAL FIRES • Keep re in the replace. Use re play by teaching your children that re
screens and have your chimney is a tool, not a toy.
Never overload circuits or extension
cleaned annually. The creosote
cords. Do not place cords and wires
buildup can ignite a chimney re that CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE
under rugs, over nails or in high
could easily spread.
traf c areas. Immediately shut off and Every year over 1,200 senior citizens
unplug appliances that sputter, spark • Kerosene heaters should be used die in res. Many of these re deaths
or emit an unusual smell. Have them only where approved by authorities. could have been prevented. Seniors are
professionally repaired or replaced. Never use gasoline or camp-stove especially vulnerable because many live
fuel. Refuel outside and only after the alone and can’t respond quickly.
USE APPLIANCES WISELY heater has cooled.
When using appliances follow the
manufacturer’s safety precautions. AFFORDABLE HOME FIRE For more information contact:
Overheating, unusual smells, shorts SAFETY SPRINKLERS The U. S. Fire Administration
and sparks are all warning signs When home re sprinklers are used 16825 South Seton Avenue
that appliances need to be shut off, with working smoke alarms, your Emmitsburg, MD 21727
then replaced or repaired. Unplug chances of surviving a re are greatly or
appliances when not in use. Use increased. Sprinklers are affordable-- Visit the USFA Web site:
safety caps to cover all unused outlets, they can increase property value and www.usfa.fema.gov
especially if there are small children in lower insurance rates.
the home.
Homeland
Security
March 2006