Fire Safety Tips
Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors warn you of a fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level
of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer’s directions
and test them regularly. Replace the batteries at least once a year or when the detector
chirps to signal that the battery is weak. Never borrow the Smoke Detector’s battery
for other uses.
Plan and Practice to Escape
If a fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways
out of every room. Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will gather. Once
you are out, stay out! At least twice a year, have the whole family practice the escape
plan.
Stop, Drop, and Roll
Everyone should know this rule: if your clothes catch fire, don’t run! Stop where you
are, drop to the ground, and roll over and over to smother the flames. Cover your face
with your hands to protect your face and lungs.
Crawl Low Under Smoke
If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you
must exit through smoke, the cleanest air will be several inches off the floor. Get down
on your hands and knees, and crawl to the nearest safe exit.
Smokers Need Watchers
Carelessly discarded cigarettes cause tens of thousands of home fires every year. Never
smoke in bed or when you are drowsy. Provide large, deep ash trays for smokers and
put water on butts before discarding them. Before going to bed, check under and around
sofa cushions for smoldering cigarettes.
Be Careful Cooking
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and don’t leave cooking unattended. Keep
your pot handles turned inward so children won’t knock or pull them over the edge of
the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the
flames, then turn off the burner.
Use Electricity Safely
If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, and have it
repaired. Check all of your electrical cords and replace any that are cracked or frayed.
If you use extension cords, don’t overload them or run them under rugs. Remember that
circuit breakers and fuses protect you from fire: don’t tamper with the fuse box or
use fuses of an improper size.
A Match is a Tool…… for Adults
In the hands of a child, matches or lighters are extremely dangerous. Store them up high
where kids can’t reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children
from the start that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for kids. If
children find matches, they should tell an adult immediately.
Space Heaters Need Space
Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from paper, curtains, furniture, clothing,
bedding, or anything else that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go
to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.
Cool a Burn
If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes to
ease the pain. Do not use butter on a burn, as this could prolong the heat and further
damage the skin. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.
Remember-
By planning ahead, you can do a lot to prevent a fire. But once a fire starts in your
home, there are only two things to do: first get out, the call the fire department from a
neighbors home. Don’t go back into the building no matter what. If you think someone
is trapped inside, tell the fire fighters when they arrive.
If you would like any additional information or have any questions please contact the Clearcreek Fire District