Officers

Home Fire Safety Tips

Plan and practice two different escape routes for each room in the house.
If there is a fire in your house, get out of the house immediately. Do not try to gather possessions on the way out of the house, and once outside, do not go back into the house.
If you encounter smoke on your way out of a fire, try to use the second escape route. If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to the exit.
Have a place to meet, so that all family members can be accounted for.
Call the fire department from a neighbors house. Do not assume that someone else has notified the fire department for you.
Install a smoke detector on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. A carbon monoxide detector should also be installed on every level of your home.
At least once a year replace the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
At least once a month test your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll. Do not run, running will only fan the flames.
Keep matches and lighters away from children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Do not overload extension cords and replace any cord that is worn or frayed.

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

Keep an eye on food that is cooking. If you must leave the room for any reason take a kitchen utensil with you as a reminder that you have something cooking. If you must leave the house, remember to shut off the stove or oven.
If a pan catches fire, carefully slide a lid or large pan over the fire and turn off the burner. Never pour water on a grease fire as splashed grease can ignite other items in your kitchen, spreading the fire.
If a pan catches fire inside the oven, turn off the heat and leave the oven door closed to suffocate the flames
Do not try to carry a pan that's on fire outside or to the sink. Doing so is extremely dangerous and could result in spreading the fire to your clothing or other items in the house.

Winter Fire Safety Tips

Keep your chimney or furnace flue clean. The chimney/flue should be inspected regularly. If the furnace flue or chimney is clogged, carbon monoxide could be leaking into your house instead of going up the chimney.
If you have a wood burning stove it is even more important to have the chimney cleaned and inspected. Burning wood causes a build-up of creosote on the walls of the chimney, which could catch fire.
Water your christmas tree daily, and be sure it is placed away from exits and heat sources.
Make sure holiday lights are labeled by an approved testing laboratory, and inspect the cords for damage.