Five Star Safety - Fire Safety

Fire Safety

When it comes to fire safety, prevention is key. And since October 9-15 is National Fire Safety Week, this is a good time to get familiar with our fire safety tips and simple fire safety measures for various situations below:

Recipe for Kitchen Fire Safety

The recipe for success in the kitchen when it comes to fire safety calls for:

1 mature, responsible adult

Don't leave your cooking unattended
Don't wear loose clothing that can catch fire
If children are helping you in the kitchen, watch them closely. If they are "helping," teach them kitchen safety.
Keep cooking surfaces clean. Grease buildup can cause fires.
Keep any cloth items like potholders, towels or curtains away from cooking surfaces so they don't catch on fire
Keep pan handles turned inward so you don't accidentally bump them, making them spill and possibly causing a fire
Keep long hair tied back
If you have a toaster oven, keep it unplugged when it's not in use

Other Home Fire Safety Tips

One of the leading causes for home fires is overloaded electrical outlets or faulty electrical appliances, smoking or candles. Here are some fire safety tips you can use at home.

One thing to remember when it comes to electricity is that just because there's no flame, it doesn't mean there's no risk.
Don't overload sockets
Never let plugs or cables get wet
Don't use appliances with frayed wires. Throw away damaged cords.
Don't run wires under carpets or mats
Don't use a halogen lamp to keep anything warm
Don't leave burning candles unattended
Don't put candles near Christmas trees or anything else that can catch fire, and don't put them under a shelf
Make sure candles are completely out, not smoldering

Outdoor Fire Safety Tips

It's just as important to practice fire safety outdoors as it is indoors. Here are some tips for the grill:

Make sure your grill is in good working order
Keep sand or a bucket of water nearby to put an out-oof-control fire out, if necessary
Keep children away from the cooking area
Make sure your grill is on a flat, level surface, away from trees and bushes
Only use enough charcoal to cover the bottom of the grill
Never leave the grill unattended
Make sure the grill is completely cooled off before emptying the ashes
Never light your grill indoors

Here are some fire safety tips for camping:

Don't light a fire in a tent
Find out if the campsite has fire-fighting procedures and safety products on site
Keep a battery-operated lantern on hand for emergencies
Keep matches away from children
Keep the tent away from the campfire
Don't cook or smoke in the tent
Keep flammable items away from the cooking area and the campfire

Fire Safety Tips for Kids

Here are some tips on fire safety for kids:

Don't put clothes on top of lamps
Don't touch heaters, radiators, ovens or stoves
Don't stand too close to a fireplace or woodstove
Don't play with candles or matches
Don't cook without adult supervision
Don't play with electrical cords or plug anything into a socket
Turn off lights, t.v.s and computers when you are done

Hopefully you'll find a fire safety tip or two on this page that you didn't know about before. When it comes to being safe, and keeping your loved ones safe, a little safety training goes a long way.