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Fire Safety Tips

Call 9-1-1 in an Emergency

·         Listen to the phone receiver for the dial tone sound.

·         Then dial the numbers 9-1-1.

·         Stay calm, Say, "I want to report a fire..." (Or other emergency).

·         Then give the address

·         Listen carefully and answer all the questions

·         Don't hang up until the dispatcher says it's ok.

·         Give the dispatcher your name and phone number and follow all of their instructions.

·         Only call 9-1-1 for emergencies such as accidents, medical, hazards, and fire.

 Smoke Alarms

The sooner you are aware of a fire, the sooner you can escape. Working smoke alarms cut your chances of dying in a house fire in half!

Place a smoke alarm in every floor of your home, plus one near each bedroom. Smoke rises, so try install alarms on the ceiling about 4 to 12 inches away from the walls. If you have very high ceilings, install alarms high on the walls (at least 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling). Make sure you can safely reach the alarm to test them. Alarms should ne 3 feet or more from windows or air ducts.

Stay safe by following these smoke alarm tips:

·         Test smoke alarms monthly.

·         Replace alarms' batteries twice a year.

·         Never borrow the battery from the smoke alarm for another use.

·         if cooking or steam causes a false alarm, fan the fumes away and open a window. Never remove the battery.

·         Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the smoke alarms.

·         Replace your smoke alarms every 7 to 10 years.

In the Kitchen

·         Keep appliances clear of grease, food debris, dishtowels, packaging, and other flammables.

·         Never leave cooking food unattended.

·         Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.

·         Smother a grease fire by turning off the heat and sliding a lid carefully over the pan. Don't use water, baking soda, or fire extinguisher - they can spread grease fires.

·         Close the oven and turn off the heat to smother a fire in the oven or microwave oven.

Planning Your Families Fire Exit Plan

·         Bring all the people in your household together and write out your plan. Drawing a floor plan of your home and marking two exits from each room can prove to be a helpful aid, especially for small children.

·         Make sure all members of your household understand the exit plan. Be sure to assign someone to assist infants or anyone with mobility challenges.

·         Choose an outside meeting place away from the home where all family members can meet after they have exited the home. Examples of meeting places would be a neighbor's house, a street sign, etc. It is a good idea to share this meeting place with your neighbors as well.

·         Walk through your home and make sure all exit routes are easily accessible and that doors and windows open easily. Never block an exit with furniture!

·         Make sure your street number is visible from the street. You want emergency personnel to be able to find your home quickly.

·         Practice your exit drill with your family.

Preparing for a Disaster

·         Talk about what can happen in an emergency and what people should do.

·         Talk about the different kinds of weather that can happen where you live.

·         Help children feel safe. Tell them that someone will be there to help in an emergency.

·         Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home.

Make a Ready - to - Stay Kit in case you cannot leave your home.

·         Your Ready - to -Stay kit should include the items you will need to stay safe in your home for a few days.

·         Three gallons of water for each family member.

·         Canned food and snacks for at least three days

·         Toilet paper

·         Pet food and supplies for three days

·         Non-scented bleach to treat unsafe water

·         Blankets

·         Books and games to keep you busy

·         First Aid Kit

Make a Ready - to - Go Kit in case you have to leave your home.

·         Keep your Ready - to - Go kit in a backpack or duffle bag.

·         One gallon of water for each person

·         Food that you don't have to keep cold and a manual can opener.

·         Plastic or paper plates, cups, and utensils.

·         Flashlights and extra batteries

·         Radio with batteries

·         A change of clothes

·         A card with emergency contact information and the number of someone to call who lives out of town

·         Pet food and supplies for at least three days

·         Small first aid kit

·         Personal identification card

·         Personal hygiene items, soap, and hand sanitizer.

·         Write down contact information you will need in an emergency. Each family member needs a contact card. Each card should have a contact numbers for family members, childcare, doctors and fire or police. Have the card with you at all times. Update the card if someone moves or changes jobs.