In the Home

Safety Tips
Below are a few simple things to remember to help make your home fire safe:

• Never store flammable liquids inside the home. This includes gasoline, kerosene, paint thinners, cleaners, and LPG tanks. Be safe, check the label and store accordingly.
• When cooking with oil or grease, have the pan lid readily available to smother a possible grease fire.
• When using appliances that create heat and contain a built-in thermostat (i.e., toasters, toaster ovens, irons, hair dryers, and coffee makers), remember to unplug them when no longer in use. On occasion, the thermostat can 'fuse' at a given temperature, causing the appliance to overheat, and could start a fire.
• Hot ashes retain heat for long periods of time. When removing ashes from a fireplace, place them in a metal container and move them to a place outside the home. Make sure that they cool down completely before disposing of them.
• When extension cords must be used, don't place them under carpeting or furniture where they may become worn or damaged. Use power taps with built-in circuit breakers rather than multi-plug adapters when you need extra plug options.
• Be careful to keep at least 2-3 feet clearance around your water heater, furnace, and/or space heaters.
• Remember to keep the filter and ductwork from your clothes dryer free of lint build up.
• Keep handy an ABC all purpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher near an exit. Learn how to use it properly.