Fire Safety - Station 149

Test Your Detector For Life

Your smoke detector has the power to save your life. Or does it? If you haven't tested your smoke detector lately, it may not be working. And that's a risk you can't afford to take. Working smoke detectors give us early warning of a fire, providing extra time to escape safely. But they can't do their job if we haven't done ours - monthly testing to make sure they're working. Test all the smoke detectors in your home. For the life of the detector and for the lives of your loved ones.

Develop a Home Fire Escape Plan

1. Because the majority of fatal fires happen at night, it is essential to have working alarms throughout your home to awaken or alert you in case of fire. Count all the smoke alarms in your home; make sure to have at least one on each level and in or near all sleeping areas. Test the alarms every month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries once a year or when the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low.
2. Draw a floor plan of your home. You'll need two ways out of every room. One way out would be the door, and the second way out may be a window. Consider purchasing a home fire escape ladder for bedrooms located on second and third floors - review the manufacturer's instructions carefully to be able to use a safety ladder for an emergency escape from a window. Practice setting up the ladder from a first floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly.
3. Choose an outside meeting place with your family. Make sure it's a safe distance from your home and mark it on the escape plan. Practice having all members of your household report immediately to your outside meeting place during fire drills.
4. Everyone should memorize the local fire department's emergency phone number, which should be contacted from a neighbor's phone, or by using a nearby portable or cell phone you bring with you as you exit your home.
5. After you make your plan, practice it! Fire escape plans should be practiced at least twice a year. Pick a date with your family to practice!

General Safety Tips

• Keep cooking areas clean and uncluttered.
  

• Always keep a close eye on cooking food. And never leave cooking food unattended on the stove top.
  

• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the stove. Mark the area with masking tape to remind younger children.
  

• Turn pot handles in so they can't be bumped and children can't grab them.
  

• Space heaters should be at least three feet (one meter) away from walls and draperies, furniture, or anything that can burn.
  

• Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to bed.
  

• Don't overload receptacle outlets.
  

• Receptacle outlets should have plastic safety covers in homes with small children