According to the Red Cross, if a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as 2 minutes to safely escape. Being prepared and knowing how to prevent fires can save lives. Here’s how you can reduce the risk of a fire in your home and what to do if one occurs:
Preventing fires
Did you know that most home fires begin in the kitchen? To minimize the risk it’s important to remind yourself and even your children of the following:
- Never leave food unattended while cooking. Stay in or near the kitchen so you can respond quickly if something goes wrong.
- If an oil fire starts, never use water to extinguish it. Instead, carefully cover the fire with a metal lid and turn off the stove or heat source.
Top safety tips from the Red Cross:
Install smoke alarms at every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Test smoke alarms monthly. If they aren’t working, replace the batteries immediately.
Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family and rehearse it at least twice a year.
If a fire breaks out, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP. Never re-enter a burning building for any reason.
For more fire safety information, visit the Red Cross website.