How to Prevent House Fires

How to Prevent House Fires

Most house fires start in the kitchen or from unattended open flames, like a candle or fireplace. You can take steps to lower your chances of having a house fire and to know what to do if you have a house fire.

How can a house fire affect my family?

House fires can spread out of control and become dangerous very quickly. They can:

  • Cause damage to your property and surrounding areas.
  • Cause life-threatening injuries, such as burns and smoke inhalation.

Serious house fires can lead to complete loss of property and loss of lives.

What can increase my family’s risk?

You may be at a higher risk for a house fire if you:

  • Smoke in the house, especially in bed.
  • Have frayed wires, faulty lights or appliances, or overloaded electric sockets.
  • Place portable heaters too close to walls or furniture.
  • Have an outdoor grill that is too close to the house.
  • Leave a fireplace or woodstove unattended.
  • Have lighted candles inside the house.
  • Leave matches or lighters where children can access them.

What actions can I take to prevent house fires?

Be careful with electricity

  • Replace frayed wires and old lights or appliances.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets with too many cords.
  • Do not use a portable generator in the house.
  • Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet (1 m) away from anything that could catch fire.

Be careful in the kitchen

  • Do not leave the kitchen while cooking.
  • Do not cook when you are sleepy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

General tips

  • Do not smoke inside the house. This is especially important if someone in your home uses oxygen. If you do smoke inside of the house:
    • Do not smoke in bed.
    • Do not set ashtrays on unstable surfaces, such as couches.
    • Dip cigarette butts in water to make sure they are out.
  • If you use a wood burning fireplace or woodstove, make sure that you have a screen and that you:
    • Do not burn trash.
    • Have your chimney or pipes checked and cleaned every year.
  • Keep matches and lighters away from young children. Teach children about fire safety.
  • Avoid lighting candles in the house.
  • Keep your outdoor grill at least 10 feet away from the house.
  • Do not store old newspapers or magazines in sheds near your house or in your basement.

What other actions can I take to keep my family safe?

Have a fire escape plan

  • A fire escape plan is a floor plan that shows how to escape from a building if there is a fire. A fire escape plan provides information about:
    • All possible exits from the house. You should have a primary escape route and a secondary escape route.
    • The shortest path to an exit from every room.
    • An arranged meeting place that is a safe distance away.
  • Remember that windows can be used as emergency exits.
  • Keep fire exits clear and uncluttered.
  • Make sure that everyone in your house knows the escape plan. Have everyone in your household practice the escape plan at least twice a year.

Use smoke detectors

Smoke detectors should be installed on each floor of your home.

  • There should be a smoke detector inside or near every bedroom, and in the basement, if your home has one.
  • Test smoke detector batteries every month. Batteries should be changed at least once a year. Test smoke detectors after changing the batteries.
  • Replace the smoke detectors in your home every 8–10 years.
  • Do not borrow smoke detector batteries for other purposes.
  • Do not turn off smoke detectors when cooking or when there is another source of smoke in the house.
  • Make sure that everyone in your house knows what the smoke alarm sounds like.
  • Respond to every smoke alarm as if it were a real fire.

If there is a fire

  • Leave immediately, using your primary escape route. Do not take time to gather valuables or clothing.
  • Do not open doors if the door is hot or there is smoke coming from the door. Instead, use your secondary escape route.
  • If you are in a room and cannot get out, close the door, cover cracks where smoke can get in, call 911, and signal through the window for help.
  • Stay low to the ground and crawl under any smoke.
  • If your clothes catch fire, drop and roll. Cover your face and roll on the ground until the flames are out.
  • Once you are outside, call emergency services (911 in U.S.) and go to your arranged meeting place. Tell emergency services your address and whether anyone is still inside the building, including any pets. Remain on the phone with the emergency services operator until you are told you can hang up.
  • Do not go back into a building after a fire alarm has gone off. Wait for firefighters to tell you when it is safe to go back inside.

Where to find more information

Learn more about fire and home safety from:

Summary

  • House fires can start and become deadly very quickly.
  • Do not leave stoves, fires, or other open flames unattended. Make sure you have working smoke detectors throughout your home.
  • Have a fire escape plan and practice your plan with all members of your household.
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