Fire prevention and fire safety is everyone’s responsibility and should be something that is practiced at home and in the workplace daily. Make sure your home or business has working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Test these life saving devices weekly. Batteries should be replaced twice a year to make sure that these devices work in the event of an emergency. To help you remember to replace them, it is recommended batteries are replaced when clocks are changed at the beginning and end of daylight savings.

Smoke detectors should be located in every bedroom, in common areas of the home and in the basement and garage. Carbon Monoxide detectors, which help to detect the deadly, odorless, colorless gas, should be placed on each floor of the home and in the basement.

It is highly recommended that two escape routes are planned for every room in the home. Escape routes should be practiced on a regular basis so that you are able to safely escape in the event of a fire. A meeting place should be pre-determined and agreed upon by everyone living in the home or working in the workplace. In the event of a fire, once evacuated, all family members and/or co-workers should gather at the meeting place and stay there until they are instructed that it is safe to return inside or until alternative shelter plans are in place. 

If there is a fire in your home or workplace, alert everyone to evacuate and call 911 once you are safely outside. When you call 911, remain calm, provide the address, nature of the emergency and stay on the phone until help arrives or until the 911 operator tells you that it is okay to hang up the phone.

We can’t help you if we cannot find you. Make sure the numbers for your home or business are prominently displayed on the house and by the road. Seconds count in an emergency; the quicker we can find you the quicker we are able to help you. Fire extinguishers should be located in the kitchen, at the top of the stars and by the door leading to the garage at a minimum. Remember that once a fire extinguisher is discharged even the slightest amount, it must be recharged or replaced before it is used again.

Smoke kills. In a fire, toxic chemicals superheated create dense black smoke that when inhaled can quickly overcome you leading to death. If there is a fire in your home or at your work, it is important you exit as quickly as possible. If you encounter smoke while exiting, it is important for you to get down and crawl to safety. Smoke and heat rise, by getting low to the ground, the air quality will be better, it will be cooler and your visibility will be better. Remember, Get Low and Go.

For additional information on fire safety, please visit the NFPA’s website