Where should I place smoke alarms?
Install UL Listed smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms outside every sleeping area and near fuel-burning appliances.

How often should I change the batteries in my smoke alarms?
Some smoke alarms will beep when batteries need to be changed, but don't rely on this. We recommend routinely changing the batteries in all smoke detectors at least twice per year. It's convenient to remember to do this in the spring and fall when you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

How many fire extinguishers should I have?
We recommend placing a fire extinguisher on every floor of the house. It is essential to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and the garage. Remember to have your fire extinguishers regularly tested and replaced when necessary. 

How often should my chimney be professionally inspected and cleaned? 
The National Fire Protection Association states, “Chimneys shall be inspected at least once a year….” Click here to learn more about chimney inspection and chimney sweeping.

What can I do about a smoking fireplace?
Sometimes you need to call a professional, and sometimes you don't. Click here for simple do-it-yourself solutions to common chimney problems. 

Are halogen torchiere lamps safe?
Place halogen torchiere lamps in locations where they cannot be tipped over by children, pets, or a strong draft from an open window. Do not allow curtains or other combustible materials to come in contact with torchiere lamps at any time.

Can clothes dryers cause fires?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 14,000 clothes dryer-related fires occur each year. Since dust and lint buildup is the major problem, CPSC recommends that you clean the lint filter after each load and make sure the dryer is operating properly. Check for dust and lint buildup in the exhaust duct and around other major appliances, such as washers, water heaters and furnaces. Take all the clothes out of the dryer after the cycle is done.

How can I prevent electrical fires?

• Use outlet plug covers to prevent children from inserting objects into outlets.
• Never run an electrical cord under a rug or carpet, or drape it over a hot surface such as a radiator or space heater.
• Make sure that all portable lamps and fixtures are equipped with light bulbs of equal or lesser wattage than that recommended by the lamp or fixture manufacturer.
• Unplug all extension cords when not in use and never use an extension cord that is cut or damaged.
• Keep all portable and countertop appliances unplugged when not in use.
• Never use or attempt to repair a damaged appliance; always consult a qualified technician.
• Keep space heaters, radios, and other electrical products away from bathtubs and sinks.
• Keep medications, cleaning products, and other poisons away from children and pets.
• Make sure that you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets installed in the bathroom as well as in the kitchen, laundry room and workshop.

How can I protect my baby?

• To help prevent your infant from becoming trapped between the crib frame and mattress, choose a firm mattress that fits the crib frame snugly and securely. Also, make sure the mattress support does not easily pull away from the corner posts.
• Use a tape measure or ruler and look for strangulation hazards and areas where an infant can become trapped. There should be no more than 2 3/8 inches between crib slats, corner posts should not extend more than 1/16 of an inch above the end panels (unless the corner posts extend at least 16 inches high for a canopy), and headboards and footboards should not contain cutout areas.
• Store all portable and small appliances and their cords out of the reach of children and always keep them a safe distance away from the sink.

How safe is my kitchen?
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Every year people are injured and killed in fires at home than anywhere else, and cooking fires cause the most injuries by far. In fact, in 1995, 97,400 home cooking fires caused 279 civilian deaths, 4,735 civilian injuries, and $358 million in property damage. The NFPA suggests taking the following steps to prevent cooking fires in the home:

• Always keep an eye on food being heated. Unattended cooking causes the majority of fires in the kitchen. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.
• Keep children away from appliances when cooking. Enforce a "kid-free zone" around the stove and teach youngsters not to play in that area. If you allow older children to cook, supervise them closely and teach them safe cooking practices.
• Dress appropriately for cooking. Wear short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking and use caution when working near heat sources.
• Try not to reach over the stove. You can avoid this by not storing items you use directly over or behind the stovetop.
• Turn handles inward so pots and pans won't be pulled or knocked off the stove. Take precautions and turn handles away from danger.
• Keep the stove-top clean and clear. Keep food and grease from building up by cleaning often and keep things that can catch fire, like pot holders or wooden utensils, away from heat.
• Carefully monitor hot oil, keeping the pan lid close at hand. Guard against splattering grease by lowering food into oil with utensils; don't just drop it in. Know what to do in case a grease fire occurs.
• If you're cooking with oil and it ignites , don't throw water on the fire. Don't try moving the pan either. Turn the burner off and smother the fire with a pan lid. If this doesn't work, leave the house and call the fire department.
• If you have a fire in your microwave oven, close the door to the microwave and unplug it. Don't use the microwave again until you've had it serviced.
• Do not put any metallic materials in the microwave oven, which may cause sparks and eventually damage the microwave.
• Keep an "ABC" dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Use caution with electrical appliances. Plug one appliance into an outlet at a time. Have appliances with frayed or cracked cords repaired before use. Keep heat-producing appliances away from walls and curtains. Be extra careful when working around water. Never stand in or near water when using electrical appliances.
• Keep appliance cords as short as possible to avoid accidents such as tripping or knocking the appliance over.
• Keep appliances in proper working order. Avoid using them if they are defective.
• Always have hot pads and lids ready when cooking. You may need them if you experience a small pan fire.
• Keep emergency numbers by the telephone - police, fire, poison control, and doctor.
• Prevent boil-overs by not overfilling pots. Use recommended temperatures instead of increasing the heat to reduce cooking time.
• Use a burner that's the appropriate size for the pan you're using.

How can I preventing Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly gas. When exposed to CO, it restrains your blood's capacity to carry oxygen throughout the body, actually suffocating your tissues and organs. CO can escape into your home's air through a faulty furnace, wood-burning stove, range, water heater, fireplace, or any device that burns combustible fuel. CO poisonings from fuel-burning appliances kill at least 200 people a year and send more than 5,000 people to hospital emergency rooms. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can often be confused with flu symptoms but become much more serious. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, irregular breathing, mental confusion, unconsciousness, and ultimately - death. The key to protecting yourself and your family is prevention and the use of a quality carbon monoxide detector. Though everyone is susceptible, medical experts believe that small children, pregnant women, unborn babies, senior citizens, and people with heart or respiratory problems are more vulnerable. To avoid CO poisoning in your home, heed the following suggestions:

• Every time a fuel appliance is activated, CO is produced. Keep fresh air circulating in your home; open a vent or a window to eliminate toxic fumes. Fuel-combustion appliances should be vented directly outdoors.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector with an audible warning alarm. Choose Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed detector that sounds an audible warning. Look for the UL logo on the package. 
• Install your CO detector at least 15 feet away from a furnace or gas appliance. Avoid installing detectors close to a fan, swamp cooler, or other fresh or turbulent air sources as this may deter the unit from taking accurate readings. If you only have one detector, it should be installed in the hallway near the sleeping area so it will awaken you if the alarm goes off while you are sleeping. Additional alarms on each level of your house can provide extra protection. 
• Maintain CO detectors on a regularly basis. Keep it clean and free of grease, soot, and debris - clean it with a slightly damp cloth (no chemical cleansers) or vacuum it. It's best to test your alarms regularly as well. 
• Have your heating system checked each fall before cold weather arrives to make sure it's operating efficiently and all the vents, pipes, flues, and chimneys are unclogged and tight. Have your stoves, fireplaces, and water heater checked as well. 
• Don't close your fireplace damper until you're certain the fire is out. If smoke enters the room, your chimney may be causing a reverse flow. Open a window. Have all chimney cleaned, inspected and serviced annually. 
• Never run your car engine in an enclosed area - open the garage door before starting the car. 
• Replace smoke alarms every ten years - they accumulate significant levels of dust, dirt, and debris. Since a smoke alarm works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, its life span is about ten years. 
• Make sure the burner flames on your furnace burn blue, not yellow-orange, and never use your gas or oven for heating. 
• Never use grills or hibachis inside your home. 
• Never operate gas-burning appliances in a closed room. 

How can I develop a Fire Escape Plan?
Making a plan and holding regular fire drills will give each household member the confidence and knowledge to act quickly in an emergency. Here then are some tips on developing a family escape plan:

1. Sketch a layout of each floor, including windows, doors, and stairways. Go over the plan with family members and post it in your home as a reminder of all possible exits. Keep the phone number of the Fire Department handy by the phone.
2. Have family members practice different escape routes (at least two per room). Fire drills also teach children that they must escape, not hide from fire.
3. Place one family member in charge of helping the elderly or the very young to escape.
4. Agree on a meeting place outside the home and instruct everyone to go there in case of fire. Discuss why you shouldn't go back inside once you're out. (People have died returning to a burning building).

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