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Fire Safety Tips for Your Family
More than 500,000 house fires occur
each year, in all types of homes - site-built and manufactured,
making it the second leading cause of accidental death in
the home. The most important part of fire safety is prevention.
Here's what you can do to protect your home and family now:
- Always have a fire emergency plan
for your family and practice your family fire drill at least
twice a year. Also have an emergency
kit prepared.
- Don't plug multiple items in the
same electrical outlet or circuit. If an electrical appliance
smokes or smells unusual, unplug it immediately and have
it serviced before using again.
- Keep baking soda near your stove
to extinguish grease fires. If you don't have baking soda,
use salt, but don't use water which will spread the flame.
Never leave cooking unattended.
- Store flammable liquids like gasoline,
kerosene, paint thinner, etc., in approved containers outside
your home, but not under your home. They produce invisible
vapors that can ignite even from a small spark.
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Fires started by cigarettes cause
more deaths than any other kind of fire. Don't smoke in
bed or when you're drowsy. Run butts and ashes under water
before disposing.
- Never use extension cords on a permanent
basis and avoid running them under rugs.
- Don't place hay, straw or other combustible
materials beneath your home. They can dry out and easily
ignite.
- Keep matches and lighters out of
children's reach. Teach them these are for adult use only.
- Clean dryer vents frequently and
empty lint screens after each load.
- Never install a double cylinder deadbolt
lock on your exit doors. They require a key to unlock from
the inside. When you need to exit in a hurry, this type
of lock can be deadly.
Fire
extinguishers and smoke detectors save lives!
Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
and near your furnace. Make sure they're multi-purpose, dry-chemical
extinguishers, suitable for class A, B and C fires. Teach
all family members how to operate them. And keep them recharged
so they're ready when you need them.
More than half of all fatal home fires
occur while people are asleep. That's why smoke detectors
are so essential. They can warn you before you see or smell
smoke and give you time to get out.
If your home doesn't already have at
least two smoke detectors, install one by your bedrooms and
one at the opposite end of your home. Position them on the
ceiling at least four inches from any wall. Or put them on
a wall, six to 12 inches below the ceiling.
The two main types of smoke detectors
are photoelectric and ionization, which detect smoke in different
ways. It's safest to use a combination of both types of detectors.
If your smoke detectors are powered
by electricity, add at least one that's battery powered, or
has a battery back-up in case of power outages.
- Choose a smoke detector that was
tested and approved by an independent laboratory.
- Test smoke detectors monthly. Never
disconnect or remove the batteries.
- Sometimes the sound of a smoke alarm
doesn't wake small children. Test your alarms while your
children sleep to ensure they are close enough to their
bedrooms to wake them.
- Listen for the detector's beep or
signal that indicates a weak battery and change it immediately.
Always change batteries at least once a year.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions
to clean your smoke detectors. Excessive dust or other materials
may cause it to operate abnormally. Vacuum the detector's
grillwork. Never paint your detectors because you could
damage their smoke-detecting sensors.
- Consider installing a carbon monoxide
detector or propane detector that will add extra safeguards
against hazardous situations.
Heat
your home safely
Faulty heating equipment plays a part
in over 40 percent of winter home fires. You can help prevent
fires by safely maintaining and operating your furnace, space
heater or wood stove. Have a qualified technician inspect
your furnace, water heater, fuel lines and gas pressure regulator
every year.
Have a technician check the entire flue
area each fall. Clean or change furnace filters and clear
obstructions from the exhaust vent. Never store items or let
debris build up near the furnace or hot water heater.
Supplemental heating units like electrical
space heaters, fireplaces, kerosene heaters and wood stoves
can be dangerous. Be sure each device is approved for use
in a manufactured home and have permanent devices professionally
installed.
Keep space heaters away from hallways
and doorways where they can be knocked over. Also keep them
away from bedding, clothing, draperies, towels, upholstered
furniture and other flammable items. Unplug them before you
leave or go to sleep.
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