HOME FIRE SAFETY IS UP TO YOU!

Check out the safety information below from the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal and Portland Fire & Rescue

What Can You Do to Prevent Fires?

Smoking Safety

• Smoke outside.
• Don’t smoke in bed or when feeling drowsy.
• Don’t smoke while using oxygen.
• Use large, deep, sturdy ashtrays.
• Wet cigarette butts and ashes before disposing them.

Cooking Safety

• Don’t leave cooking food unattended.
• Set a timer or turn on a light as a reminder you are cooking.
• Don’t cook if you are drowsy from medication or alcohol.
• Don’t wear loose sleeves over hot stove burners – they can melt, ignite, or catch on handles of pots and pans.
• Keep dishtowels paper towels, potholders, and other combustible items away from stove burners.
• If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.

Electrical Safety

• Maintain electrical cords and appliances.
• Do not place electrical cords under rugs.
• Plug appliances directly into wall outlets.

Home Heating Safety

• Use space heaters carefully.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from items that can burn.
• Make sure your space heater has an automatic tip-over switch.
• Unplug heaters when not in use, before going to bed, and before leaving home.
• Don’t use extension cords with space heaters.
• Maintain woodstoves and fireplaces.
• Have a professional clean and inspect chimney and woodstove flues yearly.
• Keep combustibles 3 feet from fire and sources of heat.
• Always use a fireplace screen.
• Dispose of ashes in a metal container, outside and away from combustibles.

 Do You Have the Tools for Fire Safety?

Smoke Alarms

• Have smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in each bedroom.
• Have someone push the test button, and vacuum smoke alarm vent once a month.
• Make sure everyone in the home can hear the smoke alarms, especially while sleeping.
• Smoke alarms for the deaf or hard of hearing are available.

Home Fire Escape Plan

• Know two ways out of every room and two ways out of your home.
• Make sure windows and doors open easily.
• Plan your escape based on your abilities.
• In a fire, get out and stay out.
• Don’t go back in for family, pets, or personal items.
• Once you have escaped, call 9-1-1.

What To Do if You Catch on Fire?

May 10, 2010