Preventing Home Fires

General Recommendations

There are some recommendations that can significantly reduce fire damage in the home, and also decrease the risk of injury if a fire occurs:

Install a smoke detector alarm on each floor of the house. Try it at least twice a year. Test the detector battery once a month, never remove it for use elsewhere, and replace once a year. Renew the detector every 10 years. These detectors double the survival statistics in case of fire.

Have a fire extinguisher, how to use it, and practice using it. The correct use of fire extinguisher consists of four steps:

1. Pull the safety lock
2. Aim at base of fire
3. Pulling the trigger
4. Move the jet from side to side and back and forth

If you use electric heaters, place it at least 1 meter away from combustible material, do not use extension cords unless absolutely necessary (in those cases, keep them unfolded and cover them with rugs or other items) not to use them to dry clothes or shoes.

Do not place or store plastic utensils above the oven.

Do not use long-sleeved clothing when cooking. They can catch fire, or dump containers and cause burns.

Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children. Do not stimulate their curiosity about these items.

When emptying ashtrays, double check the contents are off.

When possible, use fabric with fire resistant materials. Always check the upholstery after they have sat smoking. Do not put ashtrays in the armrests.

No smoking on the bed. This is a major cause of death from fires at home.

Zoom stoves at least 1 meter from the bed. Do not dry clothes or shoes on them.

When buying clothes, opt for fire resistant materials like 100% polyester, nylon, wool or silk.

For the same reasons as above, prefer clothing that should not be removed by the head. The speed to take off their clothes on fire reduces the severity of the injury.

Take special precautions when storing flammable liquids such as gasoline, acetone, benzene, alcohol, turpentine, contact cement and kerosene. The most dangerous is gasoline.

Teach these measures to all who live in the house to prevent fire damage.