Any soldier will tell you that your best defense is to understand your enemy. In your war against fire, this understanding begins with the knowledge of these three things:

1. How fires start in the home.
2. How fires and the dangerous products of combustion spread through the house.
3. The speed with which this happens.

Fire safety rules are of special importance in an emergency, but also should be observed every day to prevent disaster. More fire deaths occur in the home. There is one low cost, easily obtainable device which has proven itself in saving lives: a smoke detector. Deaths from fires in the home have been substantially reduced when present.

A smoke detector should be placed as close as possible to the bedrooms. It is also a good idea to install a smoke detector on each level near stairways to the rest of the house. Smoke detectors should be checked and maintained regularly. Each member of your family should know what to do if the smoke detector goes off. A little time spent selecting escape routes and practicing what to do may save lives if a fire occurs in your home. Agree on a place to meet outside so you can be sure everyone gets out of the house safely. Common sense fire prevention rules are of special importance in an emergency.

• Expect a fire
• Know your enemy
• Minimize fire hazards
• Sleep with the bedroom doors closed
• Develop and practice an emergency escape plan
• Install an early fire/smoke detection system

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER BEFORE A FIRE STARTS

• Clean out attics, basements, closets, and garages frequently. Don’t let the trash and "junk" accumulate.

• Extension cords should not be overloaded. Check cords often for fraying and avoid running them under rugs. An extension cord used to connect an appliance should always be the proper size and capacity for the appliance.

• Check your home’s heating sources. Many home fires are started by faulty furnaces and stoves, cracked or rusted furnace parts, and chimneys with creosote buildup. Be sure whatever heating source you use is clean and in good working order.

• Store flammable liquids in approved containers, outside the home if possible. Never use gasoline, benzene, naphtha, and similar liquids indoors - their fumes will readily ignite from any kind of spark. Rags soaked with cleaning fluids or turpentine sometimes catch fire by themselves (this is called spontaneous combustion), and they should be safely discarded after use. Also, never smoke while handling flammable liquids.

• When stoves or heaters have an open flame, keep the unit away from walls, furniture, draperies, and other flammable items, and place a screen in front of the flame.

• Energy shortages and high costs have made alternative heating sources; such as wood, coal, and kerosene-burning stoves, very popular. There are some basic safety tips to remember when using any type of room or area heating device. Be sure there is proper ventilation to the outside. Also make sure there is adequate space around the heater and that the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated. Use only the fuel designated for your unit: don’t substitute. Properly store ashes in a metal container outside and away from the building.

• Have an escape plan, which gives everyone two ways out of the house, a normal exit, and an alternate one.

• Close the doors to all bedrooms when you go to bed at night. It can keep fire out long enough to allow escape through windows.

• Agree on a way that everyone can sound the alarm - shout, blow a whistle, pound on the wall, etc.

• Holding a family fire drill is a must. Try your escape plan with the whole family - and try it again and again until it works well, and keep practicing it frequently.

• Don’t smoke when your lying down, or when your judgement is impaired by fatigue, medicine, or alcohol.

• Don’t leave young children alone.

• Get an approved home fire detection and alarm system. It will stand watch while you sleep, the time when most fatal residential fires occur.

• Inspect appliances, stoves, and heaters for wear and unsafe or erratic operation. If you find any defects, shut the unit off.

- Read labels and follow all warning and lighting instructions.
- Keep clear space around heating equipment.
- If you smell a strong gas odor, turn off the pilot light, and do not operate electrical switches. Call the gas company from another location.
- Turn off heating equipment if you smell fumes, your eyes sting, or you become dizzy or nauseous while it is operating.
- Do not use a space heater if the ceramic radiants are broken or out of place.
- Turn off heating if it has a fluttering or yellow flame.
-Never store or use flammable liquids like gasoline, cleaning fluid or paint thinners near heating equipment. Never smoke while working with a gas-powered equipment. If your heating equipment has a pilot light and you have trouble keeping it lit or if the control valve is hard to operate, the heater may need servicing. Don’t force it or tamper with it. Call the gas company to have it serviced.
- Never operate heating equipment if instructions are unavailable or you are unsure of its operation or condition.

Don’t stop to call the Fire Department.
Don’t collect any personal belongings: or valuables.
Don’t stay behind to fight the fire.

Just get out!
Vital Steps When Fire Strikes

1. Alert others by shouting "Fire".
2. Walk in a crouched position.
3. Escape through nearest exit.
4. Don’t waste time dressing. stairway escape (from bedrooms).

After A Fire Starts

• Rouse all occupants immediately.
• Get out of the building immediately, using your escape plan.
• Get the whole family together and keep them together - don’t let anyone go back in the building, even to attempt a rescue.
• Call the fire department. If you call by telephone, stay on the line until you’re sure the dispatcher has the location of your house. If you use a fire alarm box, stay at the box so you can show the fire department where the fire is when they arrive.