Fire Prevention Week is a Great Time to Review How to Stay Safe

This week is National Fire Prevention Week.  It’s a great time to review how well your home is protected against fire hazards, and to be sure everyone in your family is fully informed about good safety practices. And of course, don’t forget to
take the opportunity to remember how hard our firefighters work to keep us safe.

Reducing your risk of fire 

The Connecticut Department of Public Safety offers a list of safety tips that you and your family can follow to reduce significantly the risk of starting a fire in your home:

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking, as many fires start in "unattended" kitchens.
• Maintain heating equipment like furnaces and chimneys by having them inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional every year.
• Don't smoke in a situation where you may fall asleep while smoking.
• Keep things that might burn away from light bulbs, light fixtures, and electrical heating sources. Call on a qualified electrician for any repairs.
• During power outages, use flashlights instead of candles. If you do use candles, never leave a burning candle unattended.

Being prepared for a fire emergency

Even if you and your family routinely follow these recommendations for fire prevention, it’s important to be prepared in case a fire does occur in your home. The State Fire Marshal’s office has offered the following suggestions:

• Make sure that your smoke detectors are working properly, and replace any dead batteries.
• Keep stairways and exits clear and uncluttered.
• Practice your escape route out of your home, and identify several different routes in case one is blocked.
• Agree on a meeting place outside your home where everyone can gather away from the building and be accounted for after escaping a fire.
• Make sure that your house number is clearly visible from the road.

Where to learn more

For more information on preventing fires and being prepared, click here to visit the Web site of the National Fire Protection Association.

Kids can have lots of fun learning all about safety, what firefighters do, and how fire trucks work here, at a Web site designed just for them.