13 Fire Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

There was a fire incident in our neighborhood yesterday. Though no one died the children and their mother got burns before they were rescued from their apartment. They were immediately rushed to the hospital and the fire was put out before it could move into the next building. As at the time of writing this article, no update has been heard regarding the family’s condition. Though no one died, the scars will be there.

Are you aware of the dangers of fire? Most people don’t even realize that fires happen everyday. The best way to prevent fires is to understand their causes, risks, and prevention methods.

Around the world, every year over 6 million fires occur. Many of these fires cause injury or death due to smoke inhalation, burns, and other health concerns. In addition, around 50% of home fires start because of carelessness.

Fires are a common hazard at homes, businesses, places of worship, schools, hospitals, and public buildings. Knowing how to identify potential hazards, how to stop them before they start, and how to respond effectively can save lives and property.

Read along to learn more about preventing fires - and protecting yourself from them.

Fire Safety Tips

Fire Safety Tips seem rather obvious...but don't underestimate the importance of good habits in ensuring everybody's safety. The following tips were gathered via some online research and my own experience. By no means, do I suggest these methods are the only ways to achieve fire safety and security at home. This article presents 13 of my favorite ones.

1. Have a smoke alarm installed in your home. You should have at least one working smoke alarm in each sleeping area, including bedrooms and any enclosed spaces where children may sleep. Smoke alarms should be tested regularly. Replace batteries twice per year. Make sure that your fire extinguisher is fully charged and easily accessible.

2. Know how to use your fire extinguisher properly and keep it stored safely. A dry place in your house is ideal for storing your fire extinguishers.

3. Always use caution! A lit candle can burn a house down. Be cautious about where you place candles. Keep them away from draperies, curtains, rugs, and any combustible materials such as wood furniture and paper products.

4. Be aware of the flammability of materials near your fireplace or stove. Fireplaces and wood stoves often produce embers that carry over onto nearby surfaces. Make sure any wood or coal in these devices is completely extinguished before turning off the appliance.

5. Never store gasoline, propane, heating oil, or natural gas containers above water heaters, boilers, furnaces, or space heaters. These containers pose a risk of explosion if exposed to moisture, extreme temperatures, or both. Use container lids to cover open tanks, and store them in a cool, dark location.

6. Don't leave children unattended near an open flame. Children should not play with matches or lighters. If they do, make sure the match box or lighter is out of reach. Also keep matches and lighters out of sight.

7. Make sure your gas stove is turned off before leaving home. When you're ready to go, turn the tap off first and then shut off the valve.

8. Don't forget about your car! Keep flammable liquids in secure, locked cabinets, and avoid carrying them in your vehicle. Gasoline, kerosene, Coleman fuel, and aerosols can explode or ignite when exposed to high temperatures, sparks, or vibrations.

8. Before taking an ignition source out of your house, put it somewhere safe. Store matches, lighters, and cigarettes in a locked cabinet away from children.

10. Keep fireworks out of reach of young people and pets. Never throw fireworks at others; use only those specifically designed for personal use.

11. If you use barbecue grills indoors, be careful when smoking meat. Grill pans and griddles can cause serious burns if left unattended. Don't hold lit candles or matches under the grill.

12. Cleaning products containing bleach emit toxic fumes that can harm anyone who breathes them in. Whenever possible, clean with non-toxic cleaners.

13. To prevent fires, never add paper towels, cloth napkins, or cotton balls to a hot burner.