Home Safety

Most fatal fires start in the home. You can help protect your family and your property by following these fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.

1. Install and maintain working smoke detectors on every level of your home and in each sleeping room. Test your smoke detector monthly and change the battery annually. The smoke detector should be replaced routinely every ten (10) years.

2. Plan two escape routes from every room and arrange a meeting place outside your home (tree, mailbox, neighbor's front porch, etc.). Practice your escape plan with all members of your family. Check and make sure your windows are easy to operate even by your children. Once you leave your home never re-enter for any reason.

3. Never smoke in bed or when drowsy.

4. Cooking safety: Never leave food, especially grease, unattended on the stove. If a fire should start in a pan, carefully slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Never put water on a grease fire. Never let your children play in the kitchen when you are cooking. Children under the age of five (5) are at the greatest risk of being burned. Also, turn the pot and pan handles to the inside so that they cannot be bumped or pulled over. Keep the stovetop and oven clean and clear. Always wear tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when cooking. Never carry a child and hot food/liquids at the same time.

5. Electrical safety: Never use an extension cord smaller than the cord on the appliance or fixture. Never use an extension cord as permanent wiring. Use only one extension cord to one appliance. The extension cord should be as short as possible (i.e., don't use a fifty foot extension cord if a three foot one will reach). Check fixtures for frayed or damaged wiring. Pets have been known to chew on wires. If a circuit in your home continues to trip the breaker or blows the fuse, have an electrician check it. Never place a penny or other metal object in a fuse box. Never place an electric radio or hair dryer near the bathtub while bathing.

6. Workshop and storage area safety: Always store gasoline in an approved container. Use gasoline as a motor fuel and never as a cleaning agent. Let motors of mowers and other gasoline equipment cool down before refueling. Always store paint and other flammable liquids far away from appliances, heaters, pilot lights, and other sources of flame or heat. Never smoke while using or close to flammable liquids.

7. Outdoor safety: Use outdoor cooking grills with caution. Never use gasoline to start a fire, and do not apply charcoal lighter fluid or gasoline once the fire is started. Use cooking grills outside only, not on porches or balconies, and away from vegetation and combustibles. Never store propane cylinders inside. Never pour gasoline onto the ground.

8. Heater safety: When buying portable heaters be sure that they are U.L. or F.M. Listed and approved for the type of use you desire. Follow all manufacturers’ instructions carefully. Kerosene portable heaters are prohibited. Electric Portable heaters need to be at least three (3) feet from all combustible items. Keep children away from heaters. Be sure that the heater has an automatic shut-off in case it is tipped over.

9. Fireplace safety: Chimneys and fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected annually by a chimney sweep service. Creosote can build up and ignite your chimney, roof, and/or house. Do not use flammable liquids to start your fire in the fireplace. Keep a screen in front of the fire to keep embers from popping into the house. Put hot ashes in metal containers outside of the home to cool. Make sure tree limbs are at least ten (10) feet away from the chimney.

10. Protecting your children from scald burns: In a matter of seconds, a child can get life-threatening burns. Here are some items to keep in mind:

o Never leave children alone in the bathroom or kitchen.

o Use the back burners on the stove and/or turn pot and pan handles to the back or sides when using the front burners of the stove.

o Never carry a child and hot food/liquids at the same time.

o Electrical cords should be kept away from the edge of the counter.

o Adjust water heaters to 120 degrees or less.

o Always test the water temperature before putting a child in the bathtub or shower.

11. Know how to use fireworks safely: Fireworks can be very dangerous when used improperly. Read and follow all directions. Small children should not play with fireworks. Parents should supervise all children when fireworks are involved. Ensure children using sparklers hold the top out and away from their body. DO NOT hold ignited sparklers in a horizontal (up and down) position from you. Burning embers may flake off and fall on your hands and feet. If a firework should misfire, leave it alone - there could be a delay in ignition. Never place any fireworks in your pockets. Never ignite fireworks while still holding it in your hand. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. If your clothes should catch on fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll.

Tips for Apartment Fire Safety

You can help protect your family and your property by following these fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association. Before the Fire

1. If equipped, locate the nearest fire pull station and know how to operate it.

2. Have to plans of escape from your apartment and practice them. Never use an elevator

3. Test your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries annually.

4. Know the emergency phone number. In Bethlehem Township the emergency number is 911.

When Fire or Smoke is Discovered

1. If you find fire or smoke, activate the fire alarm if available, no matter how small. Call the emergency number (911). Do not depend on anyone else to call. Evacuate the building.

2. If you are in your apartment and the fire alarm is activated, get your family together. Feel the door with the back of your hand to see if the door is hot. If it is not hot, open the door slightly to check for smoke and fire. If it is clear, leave the building quickly and calmly, closing your apartment door behind you. Bring your key with you.

3. If there is light smoke or it is dark, crawl to the exit. Remember smoke and toxic gases rise.

4. If you encounter heavy smoke and heat, try your second escape route.

5. If both routes are blocked, return to your apartment.

What to do if you are trapped in your apartment by fire and smoke:

1. Stay calm and do not panic.

2. Keep your door closed.

3. Place wet towels and duct tape around the cracks of the doors. This will help keep out smoke and toxic gases.

4. Turn off heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC).

5. Go to a room with an outside window.

6. Open the top and bottom of the window slightly. This will let fresh air in the bottom and smoke out the top.

7. Place a sheet or towel out the window to signal the fire department.

8. If possible, call the emergency number (911) and let them know you are trapped.

Cooking Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Most cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items (food or grease, cabinets, wall coverings, paper or plastic bats, curtains, etc.). Here are some fire safety tips while cooking:

1. Always use equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility like U.L.

2. Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended. Always keep close eyes on food cooking in the oven.

3. Keep cooking surfaces and area clear of combustible materials.

4. Turn pot handles inward to prevent from being bumped or children from grabbing them.

5. Avoid wearing loose fitted clothing while cooking. Loose fit clothing can come in contact with a burner and ignite.

6. Never use a damp or wet oven mitt. The moist, when heated, turns to steam and presents a scald danger.

7. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid or move the pan until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire.

8. If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Call the emergency number (911).

9. Be careful when handling food after heated by a microwave. Foods can be dangerously hot and cause burns. Let the food sit for a minute or two before removing from the microwave.

10. If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department and make sure to have the oven serviced before you use it again. 

Kiddie - Home Safety