Fire is responsible for many of our modern comforts, yet is also one of the biggest dangers that we face. According to See this the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there were 1,291,500 fires in the United States in 2019, leading to over three thousand deaths and a loss of $14.8 billion. Thankfully, there are ways that we can prevent fire hazards and significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of an accidental fire.
- Keep Out of Reach
A devastating fire can easily be started with an innocent strike of a match. Always keep matches and lights in locked drawers or out of reach of children. Educate your children about fire safety and the dangers of playing with fire. If you have a stove or oven with built-in ignition, lock the oven doors and install purpose-built stove guards and knob covers to prevent children from starting a fire in the kitchen. - Smoke Outside
Smoking outside the home is the best way to avoid a house fire. However, if you must smoke in the home, never leave a lit cigarette unattended. Make sure that you use large, deep ashtrays with water inside to fully extinguish cigarette butts. Stray cigarette embers can smolder for hours before igniting. Do not smoke indoors if you are sleepy, drowsy, or intoxicated as you will be more likely to be careless. - Cook with Care
Many home fires start on kitchen stovetops. Never leave your stovetops unattended when you are cooking, especially if you are cooking on high heat. Keep flammable items such as curtains, bottles of oil, oven mitts, and paper towels far away from burners. If oil or grease in your pan catches on fire, remember not to splash water on it as that will cause the fire to spread. Cover the pan with a lid to suffocate the flames. - Clean Your Dryer
Dryers are responsible for almost 90 percent of appliance fires and 34 percent of these fires occur due to a failure to clean them. Remove all lint from the lint filter and the back of the dryer before and after each cycle. Keep flammable items away from the dryer area and check that the venting system is unobstructed. Never overload your dryer or attempt to dry items containing foam, rubber, or plastic.
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