When is a good time to start teaching children about fire safety. Many experts agree that preschoolers; are at the perfect age to start learning about fire safety. Children should be taught that matches, lighters and candles should never be played with or touched. Matches and lighters should be keep out of reach.

If anyone in the home smokes, avoid careless smoking. It is estimated that more home fire are started each year by careless smoking than any other single source. This source is the most preventable. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars and pipes fully and allow cool down time before discarding. Do not allow lit items to burn unattended. Do not smoke in bed or in an easy chair
where you can easily fall asleep.

Use Fireplaces and Wood Stoves correctly. Burn only seasonal hard wood and never use gasoline/starter fluid to get fire going. Never leave a fire unattended. Buy and install appropriate fire screen and fire-resistant rugs. As a rule, have your fireplace and chimney cleaned once a year to remove dangerous creosote buildup.

Follow proper electrical safety, do not overload circuits. Do not use frayed cords or bury extension cords under rugs.

Family fire drills

Unfortunately, many young children die because they try to hide from fires. They should be taught to try and escape the fire not hide. Every family should design an Escape Plan and have regular practice drills. A meeting place in a safe outside area should be decided. Children should be taught how to check closed doors for heat and that they must crawl to escape. A backup route must be part of the Escape Plan to be complete. Also, teach your child that if he or she feels trapped to stay low and shout for help to make it easier to find them.

Smoke detectors

An important item to note If  you are purchasing a home and have a home inspection done, home inspectors are not safety inspectors so your home inspection report will not comment on smoke detectors. Properly working Smoke Detectors can make the difference between life and death. They can sound the alarm that could give you and your family enough time to reach safety. Smoke detectors that are not installed or have no battery will do absolutely
nothing to save your family.

Make sure that you have a smoke detector on every floor of your home. Smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and their battery should be replaced twice a year. To help you remember, do it the same time you reset your clocks for the time changes in the spring and fall. Replace older Smoke Detectors with newer units. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement.

If you never removed the Smoke Detector’s battery, replace it immediately.

Fire Extinguishers

An important item to note If  you are purchasing a new home and have a home inspection done, home inspectors are not safety inspectors so your home inspection report will not comment on fire extinguishers. It is your responsibility. Fire Extinguishers should be bought, one for each level of your home. Read the Operating Instructions when you purchase and unbox the Fire Extinguisher. The multi-purpose ABC type Extinguisher is the most common model for home use. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended inspection and maintenance schedule. Remember, the purpose of the Fire Extinguisher is to put out small fires and to help get out of a home. Never attempt to fight a major fire with a Fire Extinguisher.