Possible Fire Hazards in Your Home

Home fires are predictable. The vast majority of home fires are caused by the same causes. The good news:  these fires are preventable!

Dryers & washing machines The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean them. Electrical Safety in the home and with circuit interrupters

Portable generators The most common dangers with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock, and fire hazards. Heating The peak months for home heating fires are December, January and February.

Candles The top five days for home candle fires are Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day, Halloween and December 23. Smoking Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.

Cooking Includes general cooking safety info, as well as tips for microwaves, cooking oil and turkey fryers.

CIGARETTES, CIGARS AND MATCHES:

Source: NFPA

Children and Fire

Every year, hundreds of children die in home fires started by children who were using or playing with matches or lighters. If your child expresses curiosity about fire, or has been playing with matches or lighters, it's best to explain firmly that matches and lighters are tools for adults to use carefully. Find safe ways to let your child participate in your careful use of fire. Let them blow out candles or put charcoal on the grill before you light it. As children grow older they can learn how to use matches and lighters safely, but only under adult supervision.

Children and Matches/Lighters

Treat matches and lighters as you would a dangerous weapon. Store them up high, out of children's reach, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach very young children that if they see matches or lighters they should not touch them, but should tell an adult about them and where they are. School-age children, on the other hand, should be taught to bring matches or lighters to an adult so they can be removed from younger children.

Smoking

Every year, careless smoking starts about 35,000 home fires. Those fires cause more than 1,200 deaths and lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in property loss. Cigarettes can smolder under the cushions of a chair or sofa for several hours before igniting. That's long enough for the whole family to fall asleep before the fire shows itself. Before leaving a room where people have been smoking, check in and around furniture for hot embers, ashes, butts and matches.

Use Ashtrays

To reduce the risk of cigarettes starting a fire, have plenty of large, deep ashtrays on hand and empty them often. Fill them with water before dumping cigarette butts into wastebaskets. A lit cigarette left in an ashtray is a fire hazard. It can ignite butts and matchsticks, and, as it burns down, it can easily roll out of the ashtray and cause a fire.

Smokers Need Watchers

Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy. Keep an eye on any smoker who is taking medication that might cause drowsiness. Especially watch anyone who is smoking and drinking.

KITCHEN:

 
The kitchen is a relatively safe place, but there are many elements to make this area a place for common household accidents.  You can help minimize kitchen fire safety hazards by: 

• Cleaning up accumulated grease
• Avoid loose clothing that could get caught in flames or appliances
• Keep pot and pan handles toward the back of the range top
• Never leave a child alone when cooking or when any electrical appliances are within reach
• Never leave cords hanging from the counter top
• Putting things in or taking things out of the oven is for adults only

TIPS:

• Know the location, type and purpose of your fire extinguisher
• Examine your extinguisher regularly for signs of damage or tampering
• Know how to use your fire extinguisher
• Use salt or baking soda to put out small flames.  If anyone's clothing should catch fire, the rule is:  Stop, Drop and Roll
• If using a regular gas stove, turn off flame before stirring, turning or flipping food and turn it back on when you are finished.  If the stove is electric, warn children that it will stay hot even after it has abeen turned off
• Talk to children about safety precautions in simple, clear terms.  Younger children need frequent reminders.

ELECTRICAL:

• Do not overload electrical sockets
• Have wiring checked in older homes to make sure it meets current building codes
• Check power cords for frayed or exposed wires.
• Professional clean and service heating systems and furnaces annually. 
• Never use a space heater as a primary source of heat.  Do not leave space heaters in doorways or stairways.
• Never leave space heaters near flammable materials such as upholstery and drapes,
• Never add fuel to a portable heater that is on or still hot.
• Always use the proper fuses in your home.  Never use pennies, wires or fuses of higher amperage than required to replace burned out fuses.

APPLIANCES:

Electrical

• Unplug appliances when not in use.  Keep cords away from hot surfaces and water.
• Extensions cords should only be used temporarily.

Hot Surfaces

• Keep hot surfaces free of flammable items such as potholders, boxes, plastic utensils, etc.
• Turn off hot plates when not in use.
• Pot handles should not extend out from range tops.

Microwave Ovens

• Know the dangers of microwave ovens. 
• Only use approved utensils and dishes.
• Never use metal or plastic products in microwave ovens.