Candle fires peak during the holiday season.
Such preventable tragedies are becoming more common as candles grow in popularity for the fragrance and ambience they impart. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has found that the number of candle fires has doubled since 1990 and the non profit agency along with your local fire department is urging individuals to Use candles safely, especially as the holidays approach.
Candle Safety Tips:
- Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or when going to sleep.
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire, such as clothing,books,papers,curtains, Christmas trees and decorations.
- Place candles on stable surfaces in sturdy holders that grip the candle securely and wont tip over.
- Use candle holders that can't burn. Make sure the holder is big enough to collect dripping wax.
- Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds or curtains can cover them.
- Don't put candles where children or pets can knock them over.
- Don't allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
- Never carry a lit candle.
Space Heaters Leading Cause of Fires In Winter.
Two out of every three home fires associated with heating equipment involve devices other than central furnaces of water heaters, according to the latest statistics from National Fire Pretection Association (NFPA). When used improperly, space heaters gas-fueled, kerosene-fueled or electric, fixed or portable, wood stoves and fireplaces all lead to fires.
Safety Measures:
- When buying a new unit, make sure it carries the mark of a nationally-recognized testing laboratory.
- Be sure that a qualified technician installs the unit or check that the unit has been installed properly.
- If you use a wood or coal stove or a fireplace, have a professional inspect your chimney, chimney connector and other related equipment every year, and be cleaned as often as the inspections indicate.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
- When turning a heating device on or off, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- When buying heaters, choose devices with automatic shutoff features.
FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS
from the FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration:
(If fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips: )
Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
- Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
- Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
- Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
- Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
- Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
- Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
- Observe local laws.
- Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
- Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires
Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes.
If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.
Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically.
Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.
Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up.
Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.
Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct.
Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.
Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains.
If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.
Tornado and Hazardous Weather Safety Tips
A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a tornado or hurricane. You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty by being able to identify potential hazards and following the outlined safety tips.
SOME TYPES OF FIRE RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT DURING AND AFTER A TORNADO OR HURRICANE
- Leaking gas lines, damaged or leaking gas propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.
- Debris can easily ignite, especially if electrical wires are severed.
- Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged.
- Generators are often used during power outages. Generators that are not properly used and maintained can be very hazardous.
- Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards. Proper use and maintenance can decrease the possibility of a fire.
- Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
- Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place containers in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep combustible liquids away from heat sources.
- Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
- Look for and replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs, and plugs.
- Exposed outlets and wiring could present a fire and life safety hazard.
- Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
- Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.
- Smell and listen for leaky gas connections. If you believe there is a gas leak, immediately leave the house and leave the door(s) open.
- Never strike a match. Any size flame can spark an explosion.
- Before turning the gas back on, have the gas system checked by a professional.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
- Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
- Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
- Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
- Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or "back feed" can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.
- Kerosene heaters may not be legal in your area and should only be used where approved by authorities.
- Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
- Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
- Make sure your alternative heaters have 'tip switches.' These 'tip switches' are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
- Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines.
- Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
- Refuel heaters only outdoors.
- Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
- Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items.
- Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children.
- Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home's electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
- Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home.
- All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.
- If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of debris for easy access by the fire department.
FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR OLDER ADULTS
Older adults {age 65 and older) are twice as likely to die in fires as any other age group. The death rate for those 85 and over is four times the national average. Older people are also at higher risk of injury from fires. The following tips can help protect you and those you care about from fires and burns.
INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SMOKE ALARMS
- Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas.
- Test and dust each alarm monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Smoke alarms have significantly reduced the risk of death or injury from fire.
- Smoke alarms give people an early warning that allows for early escape.
- If possible, install smoke alarms away from kitchens and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms.
- To control nuisance alarms, install alarms with a temporary silencing feature.
- If you are hearing-impaired, install an alarm that alerts using a visual signal.
- If necessary, get someone (a relative, neighbor, or fire department official) to help you test and clean each alarm monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Careless smoking accounts for nearly one-third of the fire deaths in adults over age 70. It is also a leading cause of fire injuries among older people.
- Never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the influence of medication or alcohol.
- If you smoke, never smoke in bed while drowsy or while under the influence of medication or alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays so smoking materials don't fall out.
- Use large, deep ashtrays for smoking debris, and let the contents cool before you dispose of them.
- Douse ashes with water and place ashtrays in the sink.
- Warm ashes dumped in wastebaskets can smolder for hours, then ignite surrounding trash. At the end of the day, put the ashtray in the sink, fill it with water, and let it sit overnight before you dispose of the contents. Or, dispose of cigarettes and matches in a metal container, such as a coffee can with a lid, and let it cool overnight.
- Check furniture for smoldering cigarette butts and ashes before going to bed.
- Cooking fires are a leading cause of burn injuries among older people.
- Prevent fires and burns by being watchful and alert when you cook.
- Keep pot handles turned inward, and keep cooking surfaces and surrounding areas free from clutter and grease build-up.
- Do not overheat food (especially fats and oils) and keeping cooking surfaces clean.
- Always use pot holders and oven mitts when opening the oven and handling hot pots and pans to prevent burns.
- While cooking, never lean over a lit burner and avoid wearing loose clothing with flowing sleeves, such as nightgowns or bathrobes. These can catch on fire from a burner.
- If you must leave the kitchen when you are cooking, set a timer and take a pot holder or wooden spoon with you to remind you that food is cooking.
- Hundreds of fires start each year when things that burn, such as curtains, clothing, bedding, gasoline, or paint solvents, are placed too close to heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, or water heaters.
- All heating devices should be checked and serviced every year by a professional.
- Store flammable liquids like cleaning solvents and gasoline outside of your home.
- Keep anything that can burn or melt away from all heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and water heaters.
- Never use a range or oven to heat your home.
- Have at least three feet of clearance in all directions around portable/space heaters.
- Use the proper fuel for all heating equipment.
- Change filters in furnaces monthly.
- Keep chimneys clean.
- To prevent scalds, set the temperature of your water heater no higher than 120oF.
- Have a professional electrician inspect your home's electrical wiring system at least every 10 years and make recommended repairs.
- Never overload the electrical system.
- Plug each appliance directly into its own outlet and avoid using extension cords.
- Install and maintain electrical appliances according to the manufacturers' instructions.
- Homes more than 40 years old are three times more likely to catch on fire from electrical causes than homes 11 to 20 years old. That's because older wiring may not have the capacity to safely handle newer appliances and equipment and may not incorporate updated safety features.
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are important electrical safety devices that offer superior protection against dangerous electric shock and also may prevent some electrical rues. Have GFCIs installed in bathroom and kitchen circuits, and in other locations where water and dampness may be present.
- Call a professional electrician to make sure you have the proper fuses, find reasons for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers, replace old or damaged outlets and install more outlets if needed.
- You are less likely to overload electrical outlets if you use no more than one high-wattage appliance on a circuit at a time.
- Extension cords are meant for temporary use only and should be unplugged when not in use.
- If you see frayed cords on older appliances have the cord repaired; better yet, replace the appliance altogether.
- Store matches and lighters in a locked drawer or a high cabinet away from the reach of grandchildren or other youngsters.
- Make sure lighters are child-resistant.
- Young children are often attracted to products that can produce flames. Be sure to lock away any matches and lighters when you have young visitors in your home.
- Using lighters that are child-resistant can prevent deaths and injuries.
- If you light candles in your home, keep them out of the reach of children. Make sure candles are placed on a wide flat base where they could be hard to tip.
- Practice two ways out of every room in your home.
- Get out as soon as you discover a fire; do not try to fight the fire or gather possessions.
- Once out of the house, stay out; do not attempt to enter a burning home to gather possessions left behind Immediately dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number for help, preferably from a neighbor's phone.
The most important thing when a fire occurs is to get out of the house immediately and stay out, then call the fire department. If you are behind a closed door, feel it with your hand before opening it. If the door is hot, look for another possible exit out of the room. Make sure windows can be unlocked and opened, and security bars released. If you are passing through a smoky area, stoop low so that your head is beneath the smoke. If your clothes catch on fire, stop, gently drop to the ground, cover your face and roll to smother the flames. Do not try to fight the fire; that will only delay your escape. Leave your possessions behind and never go back into a burning building for any reason.