Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family in the event of a fire:
* Have a smoke detector on every floor of your home and in each bedroom. Change the battery once a year and check the alarm each month.
* Keep one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home and one easily accessible in your kitchen. If it's a dry chemical extinguisher shake it every 30 days and have it inspected periodically. Check the experation date and disgard it when it expires.
* Put emergancy numbers by every phone in your home. 911 is good but you can shave 3 minutes off the reaction time by dialing direct.
* Close your bedroom doors at night to slow down the spread of fire and smoke.
* Keep plastic saftey plugs in all of your outlets to protect against electrical surges and to keep small children from sticking anything into them.
* If you have multiple cords coming out of an outlet use a power strip.
* Keep a gallon of water in your bedroom, you can use it to get any cloth wet and place over your mouth and nose to prevent smoke inhalation.
* Place flashlights in all bedrooms and throughout your house.
* Make sure you have two exits out of every room and a window escape method from every bedroom.
* Never put more than a 60 watt lightbulb in a lamp with a shade.
* Clean your dryer lint trap frequently and clean the outside hose twice a year.
* Keep all combustibles at least 12 feet away from your water heater, furnace or fireplace.
* Make sure all doors are easy to unlock and easy to open.
* Have a good hiding place for lighters and matches that is out of the reach of children.
* Have an escape plan and meeting place. Practice it at least once a month.
* Every family member should know their address and phone number to report to any emergancy personel.
* REMEMBER: The first thing you do in the event of a fire is to GET OUT!
