Winter/Holiday Fire Prevention Tips

 

Each year fire claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 18,300, and causes billions of dollars’ worth of damage. People living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as those living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable space heaters and kerosene heaters are especially common risks in rural areas. Here are some general fire prevention tips to keep our homes safe from fire:

 

• Space heaters need space-keep furniture and objects away

• Electric space heaters must be plugged directly into a wall outlet

• Read owner manual very carefully for all heating devices

• Never dry clothing or fabrics on or near space heaters

• Check for cracks and solid construction of wood stoves being used

• Never fill Kerosene heaters with gasoline or camp stove oil and never refill when hot

• Have a carbon-monoxide alarm on every level of the home outside every sleeping area-CO is a silent killer!

• Clean chimneys often to prevent creosote build-up and fire dangers/ avoid placing paper products inside the fireplace

• Make sure dampers are open before starting fires inside fireplaces

• Use a heavy screen or insert in fireplaces to prevent logs from rolling out

• Allow ashes to cool before removing them and always place ashes inside a metal container keeping the container at least 10 feet away from buildings

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms in the home outside every sleeping area on each floor of the home

• Lugoff Fire provides free smoke alarm installations! Call us if you need one!

• Have a home escape plan and practice it with the family

• Plug major appliances directly into outlets and do not overload extension cords/power strips(especially Christmas lights)

• Never leave food cooking unattended on a stove or grill

• Closely follow safety precautions for deep fryers/turkey fryers

• Avoid using candles, but never leave candles unattended if they are used and ensure they are on sturdy metal or ceramic holders at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn

• Always use portable generators outside away from doors and windows-never use inside of enclosed areas of a home or building

 

 

Call Lugoff Fire at 803-438-2553 to speak with a firefighter for more information.