Home Fire Safety

Preparation Steps

• Install smoke alarms on every floor and inside every bedroom; test them monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near sleeping areas.
• Keep an ABC-rated fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it (PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
• Create and practice a two-exit escape plan for every room in the house.
• Designate a clear family meeting point outside and at a safe distance from the building.
• Check that windows designated as emergency exits can be opened quickly and easily.

Immediate Actions

• Get low and move fast — smoke and toxic gases rise and accumulate near the ceiling first.
• Feel the door with the back of your hand before opening; if it is hot, do not open it — use your alternate exit.
• Never use the elevator during a fire — use stairways only.
• If trapped, close all doors between you and the fire, seal door gaps with clothing or towels, and signal from a window.
• If your clothing catches fire: stop, drop to the ground, and roll to smother the flames.
• Once you are out of the building, stay out — never re-enter a burning structure.

What to Avoid

• Do not open a door that feels hot to the touch — fire and deadly gases are behind it.
• Never use water on a grease fire (it causes a dangerous flare-up) or an electrical fire (electrocution risk) — use a dry chemical extinguisher or smother it.
• Do not re-enter a burning building for any reason, including retrieving pets or possessions.
• Avoid blocking exits or hallways with furniture or clutter.
• Do not disable smoke alarms to stop nuisance beeping — relocate or replace the alarm instead.

Supplies Needed

• Smoke alarms (interconnected wireless models are best — all sound when one detects smoke).
• ABC-rated fire extinguisher on each floor.
• Carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms.
• Rope or chain escape ladder for bedrooms above the ground floor.
• Fireproof safe for important documents (ID, insurance policies, financial records).

Recovery Steps

• Do not enter a fire-damaged structure until the fire department has confirmed it is structurally safe.
• Contact your insurance company immediately to begin the claims process.
• Preserve all damaged items and take photographs before any cleanup or disposal.
• Check walls, attic, and crawl spaces for hidden smoldering embers — these can reignite hours later.
• Arrange temporary housing if the structure is uninhabitable and contact local emergency services for assistance.