burntalk: home safety

Have a meeting place arranged on the outside of your home in case of fire. Make sure it is a safe area away from the location of the fire for your family to meet. Such as the mailbox or end of the driveway.

Teach children that their bedrooms, closets or under the bed are not considered safe places during a fire.

Never stand in a smoke filled room or hall. Always crawl to safety. One breath of smoke could cause you to get confused and get lost trying to exit a burning building.

Do not reenter a house on fire. Use a neighbors phone to call 911.

Before going to bed be sure your portable phone is back on its base. In case of fire you can easily find the phone to call 911.

Teach children in your house how to dial 911 and the importance of this life saving phone number. It is a tool not a toy.

Kitchen:

Turn pot handles away from front of stove.

Lift pot lids so the steam escapes away from you not toward you.

Keep all towels, pot holders away from stove.

Keep your stove and oven clean and free of grease. Grease can catch fire if allowed to build-up. Smother grease fires.

Do not dangle cords for appliances over counter edge.

Do not cook uncracked eggs in a microwave, they will explode.

Bedroom:

Do not smoke in your bed. Mattresses can smolder several hours before fire breaks out.

Sleep with bedroom doors closed. They will keep out deadly smoke and gases.

Practice fire escape plans.

Teach children that during a fire the bedroom is the safest place in the house. Go to the family meeting place.

Bathroom:

Do not leave children unattended.

Do not use electrical appliances (hair dryers, shavers) around water.

Check water temperature of bathtub before placing child or yourself into the tub.

Children should be taught that bathtubs are not play areas.

Living Room:

Check furniture after smoking. Cigarettes can smolder in a sofa and give off toxic fumes prior to fire.

Electrical outlets should have safety covers on unused plugs when children are present.

Fireplace:

Do not place flammable items close to the fireplace while in use.

Maintain a sturdy metal fire screen in front of your fireplace.

Garage:

Do not store flammable materials near flames. Pilot lights on stoves, ovens, water heaters, and furnaces are all sources of ignition.

Keep area clear of piles of rags, stacks of papers, and other combustible materials.

Store kerosene in an approved blue and white container that is clearly labeled kerosene.

Store gasoline in a clearly labeled, red, safety-type can.

Keep the gasoline container tightly sealed.

Gasoline and other flammable liquids are not used for cleaning clothes, furnishings, or floors.

Gasoline's sole use is in motors.

After using gasoline be sure to clean area properly and store gasoline safely.

Store gasoline in a well-vented area, not in your basement.

Paint, varnish and other flammable items need to be stored in tightly closed containers according to manufacturer's instructions.

If your garage is attached to your house, make sure the door is a fire rated door that is kept closed.

Basement:

Keep clothes dryers free of lint build-up.

Before the heating season begins have your heating system inspected and serviced.

Keep area clear of piles of rags, stacks of papers, and other combustible materials.

Do Not store gasoline in the house.

Adjust the hot water heater to a safe temperature.

Hall:

Maintain smoke detectors in appropriate locations outside of bedrooms.

Maintain smoke detector batteries in operating condition.

Keep doors closed while sleeping.

Clean halls and prevent clutter to provide a clear exit in case of fire.

Attic:

Inspect electrical wires for any hazards.

Maintain an organized storage system.

Keep area clear of piles of rags, stacks of papers, and other combustible materials.

Yard:

Keep your yard free of combustible items, such as debris, leaves and rubbish.

Patio:

Maintain gas grills according to safety instructions.

Do not burn grills under overhangs.

Be aware of hot surfaces from the sun. You can easily obtain a contact burn from walking on the patio or cement. Do not let children walk outside on hot surfaces without shoes.

Be aware of hot surfaces on chairs prior to sitting. You could get a contact burn from the hot surface.

Smoking:

Keep matches and lighters away from children.

Keep matches away from heat sources.

Make sure matches, cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are put out before disposing of them.

No Smoking in bed. Falling asleep in bed while smoking is a leading cause of burn injuries and death.

Ashtrays should be fire proof and large to help prevent fires.