Fire Prevention Safety Tips

Regularly check your fire alarms and smoke detectors. Change your batteries at least once a year.
Make sure you have a smoke detector installed on each floor of your home or business.
Keep important emergency phone numbers handy, but do not waste precious minutes in an emergency by dialing from a location that is on fire – wait until you’re within a safe distance from the fire to place that emergency call.
Be sure to have an emergency evacuation plan in place and make sure all of your family members or business associates are kept aware of the plan by conducting regularly-scheduled safety drills.
Keep space heaters away from anything that can burn, including the wall. Never leave them on when you are away or asleep.
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and try to wear short-sleeved clothing when cooking to avoid catching your sleeves on fire.
Matches and cigarettes are leading causes for fires. Never carelessly drop cigarette butts, burning matches or live ashes – use fireproof receptacles to extinguish smoking materials whenever possible.
Don’t allow flammable materials including trash to accumulate within work areas. For example, ensure oil-soaked rags or flammable liquids including paint, paint thinner or lacquers are placed in proper safety disposal containers.
Regularly inspect all wiring and equipment for defects. Have repairs made by experts to avoid faulty wiring which is a leading cause of electrical fires.
Use fire-resistant covers and spark shields and have fire watchers standing by when operating welding equipment. Make sure equipment is maintained and used properly.
Have a professional chimney inspector clean your fireplaces at least once a year. Don’t keep any flammable items (including kindling, matches and newspapers) near your fireplaces.
Make sure you have several fire extinguishers handy within your home, business or jobsite. Ensure each employee or family member knows where they are located and how to properly use them. Don’t try to fight a fire alone.