Beat the Heat: Fire Prevention Tips

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Just because the temperatures are falling outside doesn't mean your home can't get dangerously hot ? according to the National Fire Protection Association, December and January are the peak months for home fires. Follow these easy steps to stay safe.

Smoke Alarms
The single most important fire safety tool is the smoke alarm. Make sure yours are functioning and located in or close to sleeping areas around the house. Also:

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• There are two types of smoke alarms: ionization, which quickly detects fast-moving, flaming fire, and photoelectric, which quickly detects slow-burning, smoky fires. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends purchasing a combination alarm for best protection.
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• Pick a specific holiday or use your birthday as a reminder to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms every year.
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In the Kitchen
Cooking mishaps are the leading cause of residential fires. Here's how to prevent them:

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• Never leave cooking unattended.
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• Wear short sleeves or roll up long sleeves when you're cooking.
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• Keep pot holders, curtains and towels away from the stove and other heating devices.
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Home Heating/Fireplace
You'll want to heat up this winter, but not too much! Take extra care with space heaters and woodstoves. Also:

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• Keep all fireplaces and woodstoves clean, inside and out.
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• Never start a fire indoors with flammable liquid.
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• After the fire has been put out, never leave hot ashes in the home. Soak them in water and leave them in a metal bucket outside of and away from the house.
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• If you have a kerosene heater, check it to make sure it's in good working condition. Look for carbon buildup on exhaust parts of the machine.
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• Make sure that your furnace controls and emergency shut-offs are working properly, and keep trash and other combustibles away from the furnace.
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