TIP#1) Space Heaters in the home can be very dangerous, if they are not used properly. They can cause serious injury and even death. Many of these tragedies could be avoided if people would follow some simple safety tips, such as keeping portable and other space heaters away from flammable objects(clothing,furniture,etc.) and turning the heaters off when they go out or go to bed.

TIP#2)Plan An Escape- If there is a fire, you need to be prepared so you can get out fast and avoid panic. That means drawing out at least two means of escape to exit your home and deciding on a meeting place outside.(example of a meeting place would be a tree,fence,mailbox or a bird bath,etc.)And once you have an plan of escape, have a practice fire drill at least once a month to insure everyone understands the route of escape.

TIP#3)Stop,Drop and Roll-Once a fire strikes, not everyone knows how fast flames can spread to anything that is flammable...including clothing. If your clothes do catch fire, immediate action is required to avoid injury or death. While a person's first action might be to panic and run, but please do not do that, the right response is to stop right where you are and drop to the ground and roll over and over to smother the flames. (also cover your face with your hands if possible)

TIP#4)Electrical Safety- Most electrical fires don't happen suddenly....there are usually warning signs. By watching out for problems and fixing them as soon as possible, the majority of electrical fires can be stopped before they get started. Also, people need to remember that electrical appliances generate heat and should be kept away form flammable materials.

TIP#5)Cooking Safety -Statistics show that cooking fires rank first in home fires and home fire injuries. When cooking you should always turn pan and pot handles in away from the edge of the stove, never leave dish clothes near burner, never leave stove unattended while cooking.(Suggestion: keep a fire extinguisher somewhere in the kitchen and easy to reach in case of fire.)

TIP#6)Automatic Sprinklers-When a building is protected by sprinklers, the chances of dying in a fire and the average property loss per fire are both cut by one-third to two-thirds, compared to fires where there are no sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain flames, reduces smoke and toxic gases, and even extinguish a home fire in some cases in less time than it takes the fire department to arrive.

TIP#7)Install Smoke Alarms-Smoke alarms save lives by warning people about a fire while there's still time to escape. Proper placement and installation as well as regular testing and maintenance are essential to provide full protection. The fact is smoke and flames can completely engulf a house in a matter of minutes and this is why you should check your smoke alarms at least once a month. And if you can not check smoke alarms once a month. Check them twice a year, when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.

TIP#8) Crawl Under Smoke-A fire's flames may seem more threating, but the toxic gases contained in smoke are often more deadly and should be avoided whenever possilbe. If people must exit through smoke, they should crawl on their hands and knees because heat rises and the cleaner air will be near the floor. If you must crawl through smoke to escape place a towel or shirt or something to that effect over your nose and mouth so not to breath in the smoke. As we do not encourage this, but if you have to get out, this would be used as a last resort.

TIP#9) Smokers Safety- It should be obvious that when people smoke, they're holding a burning object and need to exercise extreme caution. But the fact is that smoking materials continue to be the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Encourage smokers to be more careful when disposing of butts and ashes and remind them to never smoke in bed or when they are drowsy. Never empty a ashtray into a trash can if someone has just discarded a cigarette into the ashtray.

TIP#10) Matches/Lighters- Matches and lighters account for 80 percent of all child-playing home fires, 83 percent of corresponding deaths and injuries, and 82 percent of direct property damage. The solution is simple just keep matches and lighters where children can not get to them.

If you ever have a fire in your home, get out as quickly as possible, go to a neighbors house and dial 911 never stay inside your home, if your home catches fire, get out and stay out let the fire department enter the home, because they have the equipment and the experience to enter. Just remember most of your possesions can be replaced you however can not be replaced. You are one of a kind.

We encourage residents of our community as well as yours to make their "Home Sweet Home" a "Home Fire-Safe Home"

If you would like more fire safety information you can contact your local fire department or email me and I will get you the information you need or are requesting.