Fire Safety and Prevention

In Utah the disasters your American Red Cross responds to the most are family house fires.

Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, and affect people from all backgrounds and geographic locations.

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from fire hazards and be prepared if a fire were to ever start in your home.

Prevention Tips

• Smoke Alarms- make sure you have a working smoke alarm in every room. Once a month you should use the test button to check each smoke alarm. And at least once a year, all smoke alarm batteries should be replaced.
• Be Careful of Candles- If you do light candles or incense's in your home make sure they are on s stable surface away from things that are flammable. Never leave them burning if you leave the house, the room or go to bed.

Cooking Safety

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing— away from the stove.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and counter tops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

Be Prepared! In addition to knowing and practicing fire prevention tips, you and your family should also have a fire escape plan that you practice twice a year.

For more information on fire safety and making an escape plan click here!