Home Safety

From National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

•  Keep an eye on the stove top: Never leave cooking food on the stove top unattended. Keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. In case of a fire turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid.
•  Give space heaters space: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. Be cautious when smoking: Use large, non-slip ashtrays, and soak butts ashes before dumping them into a waste basket. Never smoke in bed or when sleepy, intoxicated or on medication that makes you sleepy.
•  Keep matches and lighters out of reach: Keep these items out of reach and sight of children.
•  Inspect electrical cords: Make sure they are not pinched behind furniture, under rugs or stretched. Replace cracked frayed, have broken plugs, or loose connections.
•  Use care with candles: Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn. Put candles out before you leave the room or go to bed.
•  Have a home fire escape plan: Make a home fire escape plan and practice your plan at least twice a year.
•  Install smoke alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the alarm.
•  Test smoke alarms: Test smoke alarms once a month and replace their batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember to change the batteries is when the seasonal times spring forward or fall back its time to change your batteries. Download New Smoke Detector Information (PDF) to learn more.
•  Crawl low in smoke: If you must escape through smoke, crawl low on your hands and knees to your exit. Keeping your head 1 to 2 feet above the floor where the air is cleaner.