The
Staunton Fire Protection District, along with the National
Fire Protection Association want to remind you that nearly
80 percent of U.S. fire deaths occur in the home. Fire safety
should be part of everday life and every household should
have an established escape plan.
Hey Kids! Download Sparky's Home
Safety Checklist, provided by NFPA
Kitchen Safety
The leading cause of home fires occur in the kitchen around
dinner time or when the stove is in use.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, broiling, or
grilling
- Ensure an approved fire exstingusher
is near the kitchen
- Keep the stove top clean clean of grease, spills, or clutter
- Ensure pot handles are turned toward the back of the stove
- If a fire does start:
- Try to extinguish the fire in the pan by slowly sliding
the lid over the pan. Don't try to throw the lid on
from a distance or place the lid directly on the pan.
- By sliding the lid on the top of the pan, you cut
off the oxygen to the fire and fire will die.
- Once this has been done, turn the burner off to remove
the heat source. Caution: under no circumstances should
you attempt to put out a fire in a pan on the stove
by using water. Doing so will only increase the intensity
of the fire, causing possible injury to yourself or
spreading flame to other portions of the room
- Fire in an Oven
If a fire starts in the oven, closing the oven door
will cut off the oxygen in most cases and smother the
fire. Again, turn off the oven to remove the heat source
and keep the oven door closed.
How to Stay Safe and Warm
- Have your central heating serviced annualy
- Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before each heating
season
- Ensure space heaters are at least 3 feet from anything
flammable
- Turn off space heaters when nobody is in the room or when
you go to bed
Around the Home
- Test smoke detectors monthly,
replace the battery promptly
- Ensure all elextrical outlets and wiring are properly
grounded and protected on the fuse box, have it professionaly
inspected
- Replace all frayed or cracked electral cords
- All bathroom and kitchen outlets should have ground-fault
circuit-intrerrupters (GFCI) installed, and they should
be tested annually to ensure proper working condition
- All candles should be extingushed whenever nobody will
be in the room, all candles should be on safe sturdy surfaces,
and away from any combustable material
- Smokers should smoke outside, if smoking in the home ensure
that a large deep ashtray is in use, and all matches and
lighters are kept out of each of children. Never smoke in
bed and never fall asleep with a lit cigarette while on
the couch or recliner
- Ensure all paints, gasoline, and other flammable liquids
are stored away from sources of sparks, flames, and heating
elements
Plan Your Home Escape
- Draw a floor plan of your home and
review it with every member of the family. An easy to template
is available from NFPA, download
Escape Plan Template
- Choose an outside meeting place
that is a safe distance from your home. Mark it on your
escape map and have all family members meet their during
fire drills
- Ensure all members of the family
know how to contact the fire department, in our area you
will always dial 9-1-1
- After you and your family have developed
an escape plan, PRACTICE IT! A good time to practice is
during National Fire Prevention week in October. If you
have infants ensure that someone is in charge of them. And
remeber ONCE YOUR OUT STAY OUT!!
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