Fire Safety Tips | RHH Insurance

The National Fire Protection Association indicates house fires are the leading cause of all fire deaths in the United States. According to the NFPA, there were 403,000 residential fires in 2008, resulting in 2,780 deaths and 13,560 injuries. The NFPA acknowledges cooking as the leading cause of house fires in the United States and heating related fires as the second most common cause.

Here are some safety tips, brought to you by RHH insurance, to help prevent house fires:

Cooking
According to the NFPA, cooking related fires account for approximately 40% of all house fires. Most cooking fires are started when an oven or stove is left unattended or when items are left too close to a heat source. To reduce the risk of a cooking related fire:
- Make sure to never leave your oven or stove unattended while it is on.
- Keep all items at least 3 feet from the heat source, including cookbooks.
- Be sure to keep a properly charged fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
- Consider an automatic appliance shut-off switch for elderly or disabled persons.

Heating
NFPA statistics show most heating related fires occur in December, January and February and the majority of these fires are caused by fixed and portable space heaters. Extreme caution should be taken whenever alternative heating units are used. Kerosene heaters, electric space heaters, wood burning stoves, pellet stoves and fireplaces all provide hazards which could increase the chance of a fire loss. To reduce the risk of a heating related fire, consider the following:
- Kerosene: Kerosene heaters are extremely dangerous and should not be used inside the home. If a kerosene heater is used in the garage or a separate structure, be sure to choose a model that has been UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. Also, make sure the unit has an automatic starter, a fuel gauge and a safety grill. Use only crystal clear K1 kerosene and make sure to slightly open a window for ventilation.
- Electric space heater: Electric space heaters should not be used in wet places such as bathrooms and should always be used on the floor, rather than on top of furniture. Also, be sure the plug fits snugly into the electrical outlet and avoid using an extension cord.
- Wood-burning/Pellet stoves: Have a certified professional install the woodburning or pellet stove and have a certified chimney sweep annually inspect the vent pipe or chimney. Burn only seasoned hardwood and refrain from using the stove to burn cardboard boxes or trash.
- Fireplace: Hire a certified chimney sweep to annually inspect your chimney for cracks, blockages, leaks and creosote build up. Use a sturdy screen or door to keep embers inside the fireplace and use a metal container for ash removal.

Electrical
Electrical related fires are also a leading cause of house fires. The most prevalent types of electrical fires involve the improper use of light bulbs and problems with the home electrical system.
- Light bulbs: Never use a light bulb that exceeds the maximum wattage listed on the manufacturer’s warning label. Also, do not place anything over a lamp, such as a towel, clothing or paper.
- Home electrical systems: Allow only qualified electricians to perform electrical work in your home and have any faulty, inadequate or outdated wiring replaced. Avoid using an extension cord to plug in an appliance.

Smoking
The NFPA determined smoking to be the leading cause of fire fatalities in 2008, accounting for nearly 25% of all residential fire deaths. Most smoking fires start when a cigarette, cigar or pipe comes in contact with upholstered furniture, such as a couch or a chair, or when a person falls asleep while smoking in bed. As a precautionary measure, make sure to:
- Never smoke in bed
- Require anyone who smokes, to do so outside.

Miscellaneous
- Kitchen oven: Never use a kitchen oven to stay warm.
- Generator: When using a generator, be sure to ventilate properly. A generator should not be kept in a garage but should be kept outside, to prevent gases from seeping into the home.
- Candles: Never leave a lit candle unattended, especially if there are pets or small children in the home. Also, extinguish any decorative candle when it gets down to the last ½ inch, as the glass may crack and allow hot wax to leak out and potentially cause a fire.

Follow these tips and a life could be protected and the risk of suffering a devastating fire loss can be drastically reduced.

October is Fire Prevention Month. According to the Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in America™ Report, fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow the safety advice below to reduce the chance of fire in your home.

Smoke Detectors
•   Place smoke detectors near bedrooms and on every floor of the house.
•   Test the batteries often or as recommended by the manufacturer.
•   Don’t place smoke detectors near air vents.
•   The smoke detector’s battery should be replaced twice a year. Here is an easy way to remember: When you change your clocks, change your batteries.

Electrical Wiring
•   Replace worn cords.
•   Don’t run cords under rugs or carpets.
•   Don’t overload electrical outlets or power strips.
•   Avoid using extension cords when possible.
•   Replace any frayed or cracked extension cords.
•   Don’t tamper with your fuse box or use improper-size fuses.
•   If any electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, and don’t use it until checked or repaired.

Electric Space Heaters
•   Don’t use an extension cord on space heaters.
•   Unplug heaters when you are not using them.
•   Keep heaters a safe distance (at least three feet) from furniture and curtains.
•   Do not dry your clothes, gloves or other items on a heater.

Fireplaces
•   Have your chimney cleaned regularly to prevent chimney fires.
•   If you have a fire in your fireplace, always close the screen or doors.
•   Always empty your fireplace ashes in a metal container, and set them away from the house or anything that will burn.

Cooking
•   Never leave cooking unattended.
•   For each pot or pan you use, have its lid out to cover it to extinguish sudden flare ups.
•   Keep the cooking areas clear of combustibles such as aerosol cans, oil, towels etc.
•   Turn pot and pan handles inward on the stove so they can’t be bumped.
•   Keep small children away from the cooking area while in use.

Home Fire Escape Plan – Create a family escape plan in case of fire.
•   Practice the escape plan every six months.
•   Assign someone to help those that need help getting out.
•   Create a meeting place for everyone once they get out.
•   Get out of the house or building and stay out.
•   Always know two ways out of every room.
•   Feel doors with the back of your hand for heat before opening.
•   Open doors slowly, and be ready to close them if heat or fire is outside them.
•   Close any doors you safely can as you are leaving the house or building.
•   Crawl low under the smoke.
•   Once outside, go to a phone, and call 911 to report the fire.

Calling 911 – Provide any helpful information to the fire department that you can such as:
•   Where the fire is located in the house or building
•   If anyone is still in the house or building and where they might be located
•   Any hazards that might be in the house or building

Just good common sense …
•   If your clothes catch on fire: STOP, DROP and ROLL until the fire goes out, and cover your face with your hands.
•   Children should NOT have access to or play with matches or lighters.
•   Children should stay away from others who play with fire and should immediately inform an adult.
•   Smokers should always use a proper ash tray and should stay alert while smoking.
•   Have working fire extinguishers, and know how to use them.
•   Do not waste time trying to save your pets, toys and other things.
•   Every second counts in a fire.

Remember, fire safety begins at home. Every family should know the basics of how to prevent fires and what to do in case there is a fire. Check out these useful Web sites for additional safety tips.

http://www.smokeybear.com

http://www.nfpa.org/sparky/index.html

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/index.shtm

Category Archives: Fire Safety Tips

House Fires – How to Stay Safe

Fire safety tips | Maryland Insurance

Main Navigation

Top Services