Fire Prevention Week every fall (Oct. 6-12, 2024) is the perfect time to review and practice fire safety. The focus of the week this year is the importance of smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by 54%. To help minimize your risk here are some quick basics on smoke alarms and fire safety.

Smoke Alarms

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas on the ceiling or high on the wall
  • Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen, at least 10 feet from the stove, to reduce false alarms
  • Test smoke alarms monthly
  • Replace batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector annually
  • Replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old

Heating

  • Keep all flammables, like paper, clothing, bedding, drapes or rugs, at least 3 feet from a space heater, stove or fireplace
  • Never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended; turn off heaters and make sure fireplace embers are extinguished before leaving the room
  • If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, nonflammable surface, like ceramic tile, not on a rug or carpet

Candle Safety

  • Avoid using candles because of the fire risk. Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead.
  • If you must use a candle, use extreme caution, and never leave it unattended

Cooking

  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop
  • When simmering, baking, or roasting, check the food regularly, remain in the kitchen while cooking, and use a timer

    How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

    Remember the acronym PASS:

    • Pull the pin.
    • Aim low at the base of the fire.
    • Squeeze the handle slowly.
      Sweep the nozzle side to side.

    Make an Escape Plan

    • Plan two ways to escape from each room
    • Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily
    • Designate an outside meeting place a safe distance from the house
    • Practice getting out with eyes closed, crawling low to the floor, and keeping your mouth covered
    • Practice how to “stop, drop, and roll” if your clothes catch on fire
    • Teach children never to hide and how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them