Step 1:
If you smoke, smoke outside. Provide smokers with large, deep ashtrays. Wet cigarette butts and ashes before throwing them out or bury them in sand. NEVER smoke in bed. Empty your ashtrays frequently so newly extinguished cigarettes and cigars do not catch butts on fire.
Step 2:
Give space heaters space. Keep them at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from anything that can burn – including you. Shut off and unplug heaters when you leave your home or go to bed.
Step 3:
Be kitchen wise. Wear tight-fitting or short sleeves when cooking. Use oven mitts to handle hot pans. Never leave cooking unattended. If a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner. Don’t cook if you are drowsy from alcohol or medication.
Step 4:
Stop, drop and roll. If your clothing catches on fire: stop (don’t run) and dropping gently to the ground, cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth to put out the fire. Use cool water 3 to 5 minutes to cool the burn. Get medical help right away.
Step 5:
Install smoke alarms. Have smoke alarms installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Have someone test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button. Make sure everyone in your home can hear your smoke alarms.
Step 6:
Plan and practice your escape from fire. If possible, know two ways out of every room in your home. Make sure windows and doors open easily. In a fire, get out and stay out.
Step 7:
Know your local emergency number. It may be 9-1-1 or the fire department’s phone number. Once you have escaped a fire, call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone or a cellular phone.
Step 8:
Plan your escape around your abilities. Have a telephone in your bedroom and post the local emergency number nearby in case you are trapped by smoke or fire.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show that people age 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the population at large. But this high risk can be greatly reduced by following simple fire prevention rules. These tips can help protect you and your loved ones.