Home Fire Prevention

October is Fire Prevention Month. According to NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association), the winter months see an increase in fires along with deaths and injuries that are results of the fires. These fires can begin anywhere in the home, in the kitchen, in the furnace room or even in the bathroom. However, there are steps you can take to prevent a fire in your home.

• Candles- NEVER leave candles unattended. If you’re looking for the ambiance of candles, choose a battery powered candle instead.

• Smoking- NEVER leave cigarettes unattended and don’t leave ashtrays overly full. These can both be a catalyst to start a fire.

• Matches/Lighters- Keep these out of reach of small and curious children.

• Kitchen- NEVER leave lit burners or grills unattended and ensure that all flammable items like dish towels, and paper towels are kept well away from the flames.

• Pets- Keep your pets away from the kitchen, especially when you aren’t home, as pets can accidentally turn on the burners.

• Furnace Room- Ensure your heat source is in good working order and well maintained. Do not store items near your heat source as these may ignite if they are too close.

You can also help protect your home by checking your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers to ensure they are in good working order. Make sure that on every level of your home (including the basement!) that there are smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher. You should also have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and in the garage.

For more information on how to protect your home from fires, visit, https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education

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