Plan ahead. Know when and how to call for help. Keep fire department, police, ambulance, doctor, and other emergency service numbers posted on or near your telephone. Keep a UL listed multi-purpose fire extinguisher in your home and know how to use it. Remember to practice your home escape plan so that all are familiar with it in the event of an emergency.

Smoke detectors save lives. Remember to change your batteries everytime you change your clocks to ensure proper operation. Test all units once a month.

PLACEMENT of SMOKE DETECTORS

Sleeping Areas: Place one detector outside the bedroom, preferably in a hallway. Building Codes require detectors in each sleeping area and connected to all detectors by hard wire. Living Area: Keep detector away from a fireplace or wood stove to avoid false alarms.      Hall and Stairway: Place unit at the top of each stairwell and at the end of a long hall. Kitchen (eating/dining area): Keep detector away from cooking flames or smoking areas. Basement: Mount on ceiling at top of stairway, not near exhaust from heating unit.

Plan and Practice an Escape Plan

Plan two ways out of every room.  Fire routes should not include the use of elevators.  Select a meeting place outside the house where everyone will gather in case of a fire.  Practice your plan at least twice a year.

WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A FIRE IN YOUR HOME:

1. Do not attempt to gather possessions or valuables.
2. Stay low to the ground where the air is cooler and cleaner.
3. Before opening a closed door, feel it with the back of your hand.  If it feels hot, the fire is probably on the other side.
4. Follow your planned escape route out of the building and go to your designated meeting place. 
5. Never go back into your home until the fire department has told you that it is safe to do so.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Install detectors on every level of the house, in the vicinity of the heating unit, and in R.V.'s  Be sure alarms can be heard from every sleeping area. Test the same as smoke detectors CARBON MONOXIDE IS: Colorless, Odorless, Tasteless Highly Toxic Gas Undetectable to the Human senses.                                                                                                   
Please make sure you have one on each level of your home and one in each bedroom. TEST them at least once a month. When the time changes change your batteries. Develop an Escape Plan with a meeting place outside and have drills.

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist. Clear area around the hearth of debris, decorations, flammable and combustible materials. Keep at least 3 feet of clearance. Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass door open while burning. Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures. Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. This may cause creosote buildup and a chimney fire. Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Protect the Outside of Your House

Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet from your house. Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris. Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester. Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Heating Safety

Do not use the kitchen oven/range to heat your home                                                 Alternative heaters need to be at least 3 feet from any combustibles.                              Make sure your alternative heaters have "tip switches". These switches are designated to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over. Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot. Refuel space heaters only outdoors. Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, and have adequate ventilation. Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.

Electrical Wiring
• Replace worn cords.
• Don't run cords under rugs.
• Don't overload outlets.  Electric Space Heaters
• Don't use an extension cord on space heaters.
• Unplug heaters when you are not using them.
• Keep heaters a safe distance from furniture and curtains.
• Do not dry your clothes, gloves, or other items on the heater.

Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your house. And know how to use it. Always Sweep from Base of Fire.