Fire Safety In The Home

Minimize Your Risks & Keep Your Family Safe

Resources To Protect Your Family

Fires are a tragic occurrence that can have life-changing effects on many aspects of your family’s lives. House fires can be highly dangerous or even deadly, so it's important for everyone in your family to be aware of proper fire prevention and safety. Each year, thousands of children suffer mild to serious injuries as a result of fire-related situations, with nearly 500 of these cases being fatalities. Most fires can be prevented with common sense and simple fire safety techniques that will help you and your family stay safe even in the event of a fire. While home fires are a risk for any family, taking the proper precautions and having a plan of action could be life-saving if the worst should ever happen.

Fire Safety Tools

It's critical to have a smoke detector and fire extinguisher to protect your family and home from major disasters. Smoke detectors need to be checked monthly. It’s vital for every member of your family to know how to dial 911, escape a burning home, and use a fire extinguisher, but for children in an emergency situation, this can be a lot to remember. There are many resources available that can be posted around the house to protect everyone from tragedy.

✔ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Home Safety Checklist

✔ American Red Cross – Home Fire Escape Plan

✔ Teach With Me – How to Dial 911 Song Posters

✔ Operating a Fire Extinguisher

Fire Prevention

Preventing a fire in the home can be accomplished by being prepared and cautious of hazards. Smoke detectors should be installed in every room of the home, especially the bedrooms and the kitchen. Keep fire extinguishers available in a known place and ensure that every family member knows how to use them. Fire hazards, such as matches and lighters, are to be kept out of reach of young children. Families should develop an escape plan and practice it regularly to ensure that everyone is prepared in the event of a fire. Children should know to dial 911 as soon as a fire is noticed to get help fast.

✔ The Police Notebook – Home Fire Safety

✔ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Fire Safety

✔ Home Safety Council – Fire Prevention Tips

✔ Kids Health – Fire Safety

✔ Direct Home and Community – Fire Safety in the Home

✔ Safe Kids USA – Fire Prevention Tips

✔ Working Together for Home Fire Safety – Factsheet [PDF]

Fire Dangers

Understanding the dangers associated to fires can help you better prevent them. When cooking on the stovetop, always keep panhandles inwards to avoid knocking them over. Use caution when dealing with flammable liquids and lock them away from small children. Candles, stoves and other flames should never be left unattended. Look for worn out electrical cords or appliances and replace them as needed. Never overload electrical strips or wall sockets with too many plugs. Space heaters are also a major fire hazard and can be dangerous if not properly maintained. Knowing and understanding these common fire dangers is the first step to preventing them.

✔ American Red Cross – Fire Safety

✔ National Fire Protection Association – Winter Fire Safety Tips

✔ Human Resources and Skills Development – Common Causes of Fire

✔ Ready.gov - Fire

✔ Home and Community – Fire Hazards [PDF]

✔ Community Emergency Response Team – Fire Hazards in the Home & Workplace

If Caught In A Fire

If you are ever caught in a fire, it's important to remember not to panic. Small fires should be put out with a fire extinguisher if possible. Large fires or fires that begin to spread should be left for firefighters. Call the fire department as soon as possible and follow your family's escape plan to exit the building. Cover your face with a towel or cloth to avoid breathing in too much smoke. Feel the doorknobs for heat before opening any door. Never run into a burning building for any reason. If the fire is outdoors, try to extinguish it with a blanket or sand.

✔ NFPA – Basic Fire Escape Planning

✔ U.S. Fire Administration – Escaping From Fire Lesson

✔ Burn Institute – Family Escape Plans

Fire Safety Resources And Tips

Knowing the proper prevention and fire safety techniques is important for both children and adults to learn. These fire facts are highly useful in stressful situations and may be essential for your survival in the event of a fire. By following these simple fire safety techniques, you can help keep your family safe at home, camp or wherever you may be. If you ever become caught in a fire, you will have the proper know-how to escape safely without harm.

✔ Prevention 1st Foundation – Home Fire Drill

✔ How to Prepare for Fire – Are Your Prepared?

✔ Stop, Drop, Roll, Cool, and Call – Lesson Plan [PDF]

✔ Fire Safety Facts – Facts About Fire Safety in the United States

✔ KFST – Kids Fire Safety Tips

✔ Kid Safety – Do You Know What to Do In Case of a Fire?

✔ Scholastic – Fire-Safety Student Printables

The above resources were for you, the adult, and here is a list to share with your children.

Fire Safety Resources To Share With Your Children

Fire safety education should start early, even if it is basic. Children of all ages must know how to call for help, how to get out of a burning building, and what actions to take should their clothes catch fire. It is also important for young kids to learn this kind of information using language and visuals so they understand and remember as much as possible.

✔ PBS Kids – Fire Safety

✔ U.S. Fire Administration – Escaping From Fire Lesson (there are downloadable materials for kids)

✔ Prevention 1st Foundation – Home Fire Drill

✔ Kid Safety – Do You Know What to Do In Case of a Fire?

✔ Scholastic – Fire-Safety Student Printables

✔ Burn Prevention Network – Stop, Drop, Roll

✔ PBS Learning and Media – Fire Safety

Fire Safety Resources To Share With Your Children