How Can Your Family Stay Safe From Fire?

There are several things you can do to be safe from fire.  First, it is extremely important to have working smoke alarms.  Also, it is important to have a home escape plan in place.  Create a floor plan of your home designating two ways out of every room. Then select a safe place outside where everyone will meet after exiting.  Some families choose a mailbox or a tree.  Once you have drawn your plan, it is time to practice.  Practice as often as you can by having drills during the day and night and exiting from different rooms.  Your goal is to get out in seconds!  Visit the link below for more home escape tips.

In Addition:

• Never leave cooking unattended
• Inspect your home for hazards that could cause a fire
• Make sure matches and lighters are kept away from children
• Allow at least 3 feet of space around space heaters
• Have a qualified inspector check your furnace and chimney
• Clean out your dryer vents!

Am I at risk for Carbon Monoxide Posioning?

According to the United States Fire Administration,  carbon monoxide (CO) poisioning claims more than 50 lives and sends another 15,200 people to the emergency room for treatment each year.  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas that can kill before you are aware that it is in your home.  At low levels, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for flu.  CO gas can come from gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnances, fireplaces, or motor vehicles.  To protect your family you should:

• Install carbon monoxide detector(s) in your home
• Have a qualified technician inspect heating and cooking systems
• Never keep a car running in a garage
• Never use the range or oven to heat your home
• Do not use charcoal grills in your home

For more information on fire safety and protecting yourself from carbon monoxide poisioning, please visit www.usfa.fema.gov