FIRE SAFETY TIPS
SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors provide early warning in case of a fire or dangerous gas buildup, giving you and your family time to evacuate.
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There are two main types of smoke detectors: ionization and photoelectric. Each type detects different kinds of fires, providing a balanced approach to fire safety.
Ionization smoke detectors
are effective at sensing
fast-flaming fires. Fast-flaming
fires can spread quickly, so
early detection by ionization
detectors is vital.
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Photoelectric smoke
detectors are better at
detecting slow, smoldering
fires. Slow, smoldering fires may not produce flames initially, but they generate significant smoke, making photoelectric detectors an important component of your home’s safety.
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The best approach to home fire safety is to use both types of detectors throughout your home. Consider placing photoelectric detectors near bathrooms and kitchens, as they are less likely to trigger false alarms from steam or cooking smoke.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly if it accumulates in enclosed spaces. Carbon monoxide can be more dangerous than fire because it’s undetectable without a proper alarm system.
CO detectors protect your family from this invisible threat, especially in homes with fuel-burning appliances, such as fireplaces, stoves, and furnaces, and attached garages.
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Avoid placing detectors near windows, doors, or vents where drafts might interfere with their operation.
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Install detectors on every level of the home, including basements and attics, and install smoke detectors in every bedroom.
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Place a smoke and CO detector outside of sleeping areas.
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For peaked ceilings, install detectors within three feet of the peak but not within the apex itself.
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In the kitchen, keep detectors at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to limit false alarms.
YOU NEED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN YOUR HOME
SAFELY CHARGING & STORING LITHIUM BATTERIES
Fire can spread incredibly fast. A small flam can become a major fire in less than 30 seconds. A fire extinguisher allows you to act quickly, potentially extinguishing a fire before it can cause catastrophic property damage or lead to injury or death.
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While smoke alarms provide early warning and an evacuation plan is essential for safe escape, a fire extinguisher gives you a chance to fight a small, manageable fire before the the fire department arrives.
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It's crucial you become familiar with using an extinguisher correctly, and when it's safe to do so. Remember the acronym "PASS."
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Pull the pin
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Aim at the base of the fire
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Squeeze the handle
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Sweep from side to side
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Fire extnguishers are for small contained fires. If the fire is growing rapidly, filling the room with smoke, or you don't feel safe, evacuate immediately and call the fire department. Lives are more important than property.
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Because there are different types of fires (electrical, grease, combustibles), there are different types of extinguishers. A multi-purpose "ABC" extinguisher is generally recommended for home use.
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Fire extinguishers should be regularly inspected to ensure they are charged and in proper working order.
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A fire extinguisher is a vital piece of fire safety equipment that, when used properly and in appropriate situations, can make a critical difference in protecting lives, property and the environment.
BARBECUING SAFETY TIPS
There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. It can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Learn simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.
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Statistics on Grilling Fires
Based on 2019-2023 annual averages:
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July (15%) was the peak month for grill fires, followed by June (14%), May (13%) and August (12%).
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The grill had not been cleaned in roughly one-fifth (20%) of the fires.
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More than one-quarter of grill structure fires started on an exterior balcony or open porch. Eight percent began when an outside wall caught fire; 3% began with some type of structural member or framing.
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Gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Six percent of gas grill structure fires and 13% of outside gas grill fires were caused by leaks or breaks.
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According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2020-2024, an average of 21,682 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills.
Source: NFPA Research.
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Safety Tips
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For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use in the months ahead. (Watch NFPA’s video on how to check for leaks below.)
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Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
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Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
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Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
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Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
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If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. When you have or are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container.
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Never leave your grill unattended when in use.
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Understanding the best practices for charging and storing lithium batteries is crucial to maximizing their performance and prolonging their lifespan.
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Keeping batteries cool can significantly improve their performance and lifespan. Avoid exposing batteries to hot environments, such as leaving them inside cars on hot summer days. Instead, opt for storing batteries in shaded or temperature-controlled areas. This will help regulate their temperature and maintain optimal conditions for storage. Whether it’s a closet in your house or a designated battery storage area, ensuring a cool and consistent temperature can go a long way in preserving the integrity of your batteries.
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When it comes to charging your batteries, slow charging is generally preferred over quick charging. Slow charging allows for a gentler and more controlled flow of electricity, minimizing stress on the battery cells. However, there may be rare situations where immediate maximum charge is necessary, such as during emergencies or time-sensitive operations.
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It is crucial to use a battery charger that matches the capacity of your battery. Aim for a charger rated at approximately 1/4 of the battery’s capacity. This ensures a balanced and efficient charging process, reducing the risk of overheating or overcharging.
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Once your battery is fully charged, disconnect it from the charger. Leaving devices connected to chargers overnight or for extended periods can lead to overcharging, which may strain the battery and potentially shorten its lifespan. Regularly check that your devices are not connected to chargers unnecessarily.
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To maximize battery longevity, consider charging your battery up to around 80% capacity instead of a full 100%. This practice helps reduce stress on the battery cells, decreasing wear and extending its overall lifespan. Reserve full charging for instances when immediate higher capacity is needed.
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For electric vehicle owners, setting the charging software to reach full capacity by morning and then driving until the charge drops below 80% can help optimize battery performance during long driving days.
MAKING A HOME ESCAPE PLAN
Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds.
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A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
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Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.
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A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code® requires interconnected smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
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When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.
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Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
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Go outside to see if your street number is clearly visible from the road. If not, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to ensure that responding emergency personnel can find your home.
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Have everyone memorize the emergency phone number of the fire department. That way any member of the household can call from a neighbor's home or a cellular phone once safely outside.
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If there are infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person too, in case the designee is not home during the emergency
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If windows or doors in your home have security bars, make sure that the bars have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency. Emergency release devices won't compromise your security - but they will increase your chances of safely escaping a home fire.
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Tell guests or visitors to your home about your family's fire escape plan. When staying overnight at other people's homes, ask about their escape plan. If they don't have a plan in place, offer to help them make one. This is especially important when children are permitted to attend "sleepovers" at friends' homes.
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Be fully prepared for a real fire: when a smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately. Residents of high-rise and apartment buildings may be safer "defending in place."
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Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues
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Check out the escape planning tools on National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) website.