FIRE SAFETY
CAUSES OF FIRES
* Malfunctioning furnaces, fireplaces and heaters, often as a result of skipping maintenance.
* Unattended fireplaces and heaters, especially space heaters. This includes letting them burn unwatched at night.
* Heaters and candles placed too close to billowing curtains, towels, clothes and other things that can catch fire.
* Absent or broken home smoke detectors and families without a practiced escape plan.
* Careless residents. Some assume that it can't happen to them or take foolish risks.
TIPS TO HELP PREVENT HOUSE FIRES
* Hire a professional to clean and repair your heater, fireplace, furnace or wood stove in the fall, before the weather gets cold. But it's never too late to do it.
* Avoid space heaters if possible, especially those fueled by kerosene. If you use space heaters, buy only those approved by Underwriters Laboratories. And don't use extension cords with electric heaters.
* Keep all heaters at least three feet from anything that can catch fire, including billowing curtains at their farthest reach.
* If you leave the room, turn the heater off. Don't sleep with fireplaces, candles or space heaters burning.
* Install smoke detectors and keep the batteries fresh.
* Devise a simple fire escape plan, and practice it with your family.
* Use your eyes, ears and nose to stay alert for a fire. If one erupts, get out of the house fast, and then get help.
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