Fire prevention tips and reminders
– and what to do in case of fire in your home

You probably remember the basics of fire safety – most of us learned about fire hazards and safety from our parents or schools from a very early age. But it’s far too easy to get complacent about fire risks.

A small spark or flare-up can become a big fire in 30 seconds and engulf a home within minutes, according to Ready.gov. And if you haven’t given much thought to fire safety, you could very well make tragic mistakes if one erupts in your home.

Keep these rules in mind to prevent fires

  • Stay in the kitchen when you’re using the stove – if you need to step out for a minute, turn it off
  • Keep outdoor grills well away – 10 feet is ideal – from the side of your home or deck railings
  • Keep portable heating devices at least three feet away from walls or furniture, and make sure all these devices have an automatic “off” switch in case they get knocked over
  • Never use an appliance with frayed wires, and never run cords under rugs
  • If a light switch is hot to the touch, keep it shut off and call an electrician right away
  • Don’t overload extension cords and outlets

  • Store e-scooters and e-bikes outdoors wherever possible, and make sure you follow storage instructions for all lithium-ion batteries

  • Never leave a candle unattended
  • Keep matches, candles and other flammable devices away from children, and teach them fire safety from an early age

Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers: Your safety toolkit

Smoke Detector

Maintaining smoke detectors in your house is a chore, but it really is the most essential thing you can do to protect yourself and your household.

  • Working smoke alarms should be outside bedrooms and at the top of open stairs – you should have one on every level of your house, as well as at the base of cellar or basement stairs.
  • Only buy smoke detectors from well-known brands, and check that they were certified by an official testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Replace them every 10 years (look for the label with the manufacture date to check – and if you can’t find a label, that means your detector definitely needs to be replaced).
  • Have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside bedrooms, at the top of open stairs and at the base of cellar stairs. When they annoy you with their chirps or beeps, that means you need new batteries. Make sure you replace those right away.

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers might make all the difference between a minor flare-up and a home-destroying catastrophe. Remember that you only use them for small fires that you can put out easily – the second a small flame starts to spread, it’s time to get out and call for help.

Make sure you know which type of fire extinguisher you need – most homes need Class A, but check the manufacturers’ description to ensure you have the right one. Examine how to use it so you’ll be ready in case of an incident, and keep your extinguisher somewhere easy for you to reach. 

Train yourself how to react if fire breaks out

Have a plan to get out of every part of your house. Remember: Get out, and stay out. Dial 911 from your mobile phone outside, or get a neighbor to call if your phone is inside.

Discuss these plans with all family members, taking special care that children know what to do in case of fire. Appoint a meeting spot outside your house to gather after exiting the house, so you know everyone is accounted for.

Remember a few basic rules for how to get out safely:

  • Your home is likely to be full of smoke, so drop down and crawl to avoid being overcome by smoke inhalation
  • Before opening doors, check to see whether the door or handle are hot to the touch. If so, don’t open
  • If you’re hemmed in, close doors and stuff clothing around the doorframe to keep out smoke, and signal for help at the window using a flashlight or light-colored cloth