1. It Starts in the Kitchen
When practicing fire safety, the first place you should start is in the kitchen because cooking is the leading cause of all home fires. First, make sure children understand the rules about no cooking when no adult is present. Kids see you cooking and think it looks easy. Make sure they understand the danger, and child-proof the kitchen as much as possible. Never allow anything to cook unattended, and keep flammable items far away from the burners of the stove. Also, make sure every family member understands that you never throw water on a grease fire, instead use a fire extinguisher.
2. Electrical Safety
Make proper use and inspect the electrical system in the house. Check for frayed or worn cords on all the appliances and electronic equipment in the home. You don't want to overload outlets with too many plugs or overuse extension cords throughout the house. When you have small children, always cover any unused outlets to restrict access. If anyone notices a burning smell or burns around an outlet, immediately unplug all appliances from the outlet. If you have any questions or doubt about your electrical use, then have an electrician come to the home for a thorough inspection.
3. Have a Plan
Planning is another important aspect of fire safety for the home. Plan an escape route in case of a fire, and make sure the family knows the route, as well as other fire safety tips. For instance, tell the family they need to stay low to the floor when exiting the burning house, covering their mouths as they leave. You also need to have at least one fire extinguisher per floor and one in the kitchen. Wherever the fire extinguisher's location in the house, verify that the fire extinguishers are functioning properly, at least twice a year. Finally, properly functioning smoke detectors are a must, and you need to have at least one of these on each floor of the home.
4. Be a Careful Smoker
If there is a smoker present in the home, you must pay particular attention to this danger, as the National Fire Prevention Association states that the number-one cause of fire deaths is cigarettes. A smoker should never smoke in bed and be extremely careful with the ashes of the cigarettes when smoking in the house. Make sure the smoker completely extinguishes cigarettes before disposing of them.
5. Alternate Forms of Heat
When you heat the home with a fireplace or a space heater, take special care around these items. Keep any flammable objects away from these sources of heat and never leave them unattended. Space heaters and fireplaces should have at least three feet between them and anything that is flammable. If you have children and pets, do not leave them alone in a room with a heater or a fireplace.
