10 Fire Safety Tips

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) wants you to know that a serious fire recently occurred in your community. To help prevent further tragedies, and to improve the odds of survival for you and your family should your house catch fire, he urges you to carefully review the 10 Fire Safety Hints listed below. Taking action today may prevent tragedy tomorrow!

1. Install & Maintain Smoke Detectors
   Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Test them at least once a month and replace batteries at least twice a year (or whenever a detector chirps to signal that its battery is low).
2. Plan & Practice To Escape
   Plan TWO ways out of every room! Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will gather. Once you are out, STAY OUT! At least twice a year, have the whole family practice the escape plan.
3. Crawl Low Under Smoke
   Smoke kills! If you encounter smoke, use an alternate escape route. If you must exit through smoke, the cleanest air will be 12 to 24 inches (30 - 60 centimeters) above the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest safe exit.
4. Smoking
   Carelessly discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers, and put water on butts before discarding them.
5. Cooking
   Never leave cooking unattended. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so the pots can not be knocked or pulled over.
6. Candles
   Never leave candles unattended. Make sure they are in appropriate holders with a wide base to catch wax drippings. Make sure they are not near anything that can burn and keep pets and kids away.
7. Fire Place Ashes
   They can start fires up to 5 days after use. Please place any unused ashes in a metal container with metal lid and store away from your house. NEVER place in a plastic bag or trash can.
8. Space, Portable, and Hot Water Heaters and Furnaces
   Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed. Keep children and pets away from them. Keep any items that can burn at least 3 feet away from hot water heaters and furnaces.
9. Matches and Lighters
   Use child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high where kids can not reach them - Preferably in a locked cabinet. If children find matches or lighters, they should not touch them but go find an adult they know and tell that person immediately.
10. Electricity
    If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Do not overload extension cords or run them under rugs.