Fire Prevention & Safety

• September 7, 2022
• Safety

The time to think about fire prevention safety is always; but especially as the weather starts to cool down and the time to turn on your home heating equipment arrives. Whether you use a home heating unit, some sort of portable device or a wood-burning or gas fireplace, all can lead to fires in the home if not properly installed, maintained, and operated. Implementing fire prevention safety measures can keep you and your family safe.

Did you know … Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.

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Fire Prevention Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths.

Use the following list as a fire prevention and home safety checklist.

• Make sure all heating equipment is properly installed and vented by a qualified professional and complied with local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and be sure to test them once a month.
• Keep anything that can burn (such as paper or wood) three feet away from all heating units.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Have chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional every year
• Only use the recommended fuel.
• Dispose of ash properly. Scoop cooled ashes into a metal container and store it away from your home.
• Make sure that you have a spark screen in front of the fireplace.
• Make sure that you have a properly installed chimney cap.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

Resources for You

• Find More Fire Prevention Safety Tip Sheets
• National Fire Protection Association has resources and tools on many fire-related topics.

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DON’T WAIT. CHECK THE DATE – REPLACE SMOKE ALARMS EVERY 10 YEARS.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that:

• One quarter of home fire deaths are due to fires that start in the bedroom.
• Three out of five home fire deaths are due to fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.

Smoke alarms are a critical part of fire prevention and safety in the home giving you an early warning so you and your family can get outside quickly.

• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years but test every month.
• To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.
• Use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep them away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.

Be sure to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.

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TREATING BURN INJURIES

No matter the fire safety precautions you put in place, there is always the potential of someone suffering a burn injury. First-degree burns can be extremely painful and third degree can be life threatening. If you or a family member suffers a burn whether from a fire or other hot appliances, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

Read: What You Need to Know About Burn Injuries

Have you suffered a serious burn or other injuries due to defective or malfunctioning heating equipment? Contact us at (877) 284-6600.

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CAN WE HELP YOU?

When you are seriously injured in an accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney who will collect all the facts about what happened, assess your injuries and answer questions about your concerns.

Call us at (877) 284-6600 or contact our office online.  We have a successful track record of helping accident victims collect the compensation they deserve. One of our experienced staff will speak with you personally and will provide you with a free, no-obligation review of your case.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR CASE

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published October 11, 2016. It was reviewed on September 5, 2022, updated for content and accuracy, and re-published on September 7, 2022.