by Whitney Henrie
Child Advocacy Specialist
Would you know what to do if a fire started in your home? Would your kids? Most residential fires occur during the winter months. With colder weather on its way, it’s important to review with your family what can be done to prevent a fire, and what to do in case there is a fire in your home.
Here are some tips to prevent a fire:
- Never leave the kitchen while the stove or oven is in use. The #1 cause of home fires is unattended cooking.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Turn them off when you leave the room.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Always extinguish them before you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place, out of the reach of children. Avoid lighters that look like toys.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the home, including the basement and especially near rooms where people sleep. The risk of dying in a fire can be cut in half when a smoke alarm is present.
- Test alarms monthly. Replace batteries annually.
Know what to do in a fire:
- Devise a family escape plan. Show family members at least two ways to escape from every room in your home. Designate a safe place to meet after an evacuation. Practice the plan every six months.
- Test any closed doors with the back of your hand for heat. If the door is hot, do not open it and use an alternative route to escape.
- Crawl low under smoke. Remember that the cleaner air is always near the floor. Smoke inhalation is just as, if not more, dangerous than the actual fire.
- Remind kids not to stop or go back for any pets or possessions.
Following these tips can help prevent fires from starting in the first place and give you peace of mind that your family will react appropriately if a fire does occur.
