Information on How to Prevent Fires by the U.S. Fire Administration and F.E.M.A.

Appliance and Electrical Fires:

  • Always plug major appliances — refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers — directly into a wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord with a major appliance. The extension cord can overheat and start a fire.
  • Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
  • If the appliance has a cracked, damaged or loose cord, replace the appliance.
  • Do not overload power strips.
  • Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.

Basement and Garage:

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the Furnace, Water Heater and any other heat generating equipment.
  • If you have oil, gas or wood-burning equipment in the basement, you should also have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in the basement.

Batteries:

  • Stop using lithium-ion batteries if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises.
  • Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycle them at your local battery recycling location.
  • Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot cars. This is a fire risk.

Cooking:

  • Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.

Heating:

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
  • Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Never use an oven to heat your home.

Candles:

  • Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
  • Use flashlights, not candles, if you have a power outage.
  • Blow out candles when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed.

By following the tips above you can make your home a safer place. Check out more tips for Fire Prevention at the U.S. Fire Administration

  • The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

 

Outlet fire