Fire Prevention in Your Home 1

National Fire Protection Association “NFPA” In the U.S. – Death every 134 minutes In Canada – Death every 31 hours Roughly half of all home fire deaths in U.S. result from fires occurring between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am Children five (5) and under make up nine percent (9%) of population: accounted for 17 % of deaths 2

National Fire Protection Association “NFPA” Smoking leading cause of home fire deaths overall Fire departments respond to a fire somewhere in U.S. every 20 seconds !! 3

What Can You Do? Smoke Detectors –Get Them!! (Available for hearing impaired) –One on every level –Maintain Them !! Keep clean / dust free Test once a month Replace batteries at time changes 4

What Can You Do? Fire Extinguishers –Get Them !! –Strategically Placed –Know how to use BEFORE fire occurs !! Small fire use ONLY ! “PASS” – Pull/Aim/Squeeze/Sweep GET OUT and call 911 if unsuccessful or fire grows !! 5

What Can You Do? Plan Ahead / Exit Plan –Make “Floor Plans” –Two ways out Window ladders available for two story home –House keeping Sleep with bedroom doors closed –Feel door before opening Keep exit paths clear –Meeting place outside 6

What Can You Do? Furnaces/Heaters –Install/maintain properly Yearly inspections by professional –Don’t store combustibles near At least three (3) feet away (includes walls) –Don’t leave space heaters operating when not in room 7

What Can You Do? Furnaces/Heaters –Don’t use extension chords Many chords aren’t rated to handle required electrical current –Light matches/igniters prior to turning on gas for gas operated space heaters –Don’t use range/oven in lieu of furnace/heater 8

What Can You Do? Kitchens –Careless cooking #1 cause of residential fires !! Never leave unattended –Keep extinguisher in kitchen –NEVER pour WATER on GREASE fire !! Cover pan with lid / Close oven door Turn off stove / oven 9

What Can You Do? Kitchens –Don’t store items on stove Remember furnace / heater rule??? –Keep appliances clean / maintained Disconnect when not in use –Don’t overload outlets NO POWER STRIPS !!! –Don’t wear loose fitting clothing when cooking 10

What Can You Do? Kitchens –Turn pot handles inward –No curtains if stove under a window –Clean exhaust hood regularly –Clean stove top/oven regularly –Don’t operate microwave without food in it 11

What Can You Do? Electrical Hazards –Limit extension chord use Don’t run under rugs –Limit outlet use No “Octopus Plugs” –Use correct light bulbs Correct wattage for appliance –Check for loose / damaged receptacles 12

What Can You Do? Electrical Hazards –Allow air space around TV’s, stereos, etc… –Cut back on amount of appliances on any given circuit when circuit breakers “blow” –Look for “UL” label –Be aware of you home’s electrical capabilities Modern appliances vs. older wiring 13

What Can You Do? Clothes Dryers –NEVER leave home with operating dryer –Vent to outside –Clean lint screen frequently –No plastics/rubber/foam 14

What Can You Do? Fireplaces –Use fireplace screens –Combustible rule again !! –Chimney inspections yearly Consider spark arresters to prevent roof fires –Light igniters prior to turning on gas (again!!) with gas operated fireplaces 15

What Can You Do? Children –One fourth of all children’s fire deaths result from a child starting a fire –Keep lighters/matches/igniters OUT OF REACH Teach children to bring adult to device if found rather than bring device to adult –Never leave children unattended near fire or space heaters 16

What Can You Do? Children –Understand natural curiosity of children to fire but be aware of unusual fascination –Ensure that “overnighters” are aware of escape plan/meeting place 17

What Can You Do? Finally…Smoking –Believe in burning to death if you won’t believe in lung disease, heart disease, and cancer! –NEVER smoke in bed –Refrain from smoking when you’ve been drinking or are very tired 18

What Can You Do? Smoking –Use large ashtrays Empty often –Avoid dumping ashes into trash cans Wetting them down and disposing in trash receptacles may STILL allow fire to occur 19

What Can You Do? Consider Residential Sprinklers –Consider during design phase of building Minor cost “now” for major savings “later” Possible reduction in homeowner’s insurance –Not designed to “put fire out” –Designed to keep “flashover” from occurring to allow occupants time to escape – SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES !!! 20

Keep Cut Xmas Trees Watered!! 21

Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Season 22