Fire Prevention

Keep anything that can catch fire - paper towels, oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, and curtains - away from your stove top.

Stay in the kitchen when you fry, boil, grill or broil food.

Clean cooking equipment after each use. Crumbs in a toaster or grease on the stove can catch on fire.

Never hold a child while you are cooking or carrying hot liquids.

Clean out the lint filter before you use your dryer.

Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord with a major appliance – it can easily overheat and start a fire.

Avoid putting cords under rugs and carpets, across doorways, or where they can be damaged or frayed by furniture.

Keep lit candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.

When you use candles, place them in a sturdy, safe candle holder that will not burn or tip over. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.

Don't use lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping areas. Blow them out when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed.

Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface and keep them and their electrical cords from things that can burn.

When you use candles, place them in a sturdy, safe candle holder that will not burn or tip over. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.

Keep oxygen tanks at least 5 feet from a heat source, open flames or electrical devices. Never use a candle, match, lighter or other open flame near medical oxygen.

Have smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

If needed, install smoke alarms and alert devices for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Strobe lights flash when the smoke alarm sounds. The lights warn people of a possible fire

If needed, use a pillow or bed shaker to wake people who are deaf, so they can escape. The shaker is activated by the sound of the alarm

Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.

Do not throw cigarettes where they can easily catch fire: into bushes, plotted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses or mulch.

Don't smoke if you are sleepy or have drunk alcohol.

Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them on your tree. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.

Always unplug Christmas tree lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Water your Christmas tree every day.