• Place space heaters at a minimum of 3 feet from objects
• Turn space heaters off when leaving the premises or going to bed
• Do not place combustible objects closer than 3 feet from a floor furnace
• Avoid placing objects directly in front of electric or fuel burning heating equipment, such as base board heaters, radiators or general heating vents
• Keep a metal fireplace screen up in front of the fireplace when a fire is going
• Be careful in placement of a wood- or coal-burning stove in relation to walls or objects

• Do not store combustible items within 3 feet of a water heater

• Have heating equipment inspected annually.
• Have furnaces inspected prior to start of the heating season (avoid clogging)
• Have the chimney inspected prior to start of the heating season (remove creosote)

• Clean up after yourself in the garage, being careful not to leave exposed grease or other flammable debris
• Don’t leave clutter that could potentially block building escape routes, such as fire doors or fire escapes
• Advise young people of lighter and match safety, and where possible keep such items out of a child’s reach
• Turn handles of pots cooking on stovetops away from the stove edge, and establish a 3-foot radius around the stove which is off limits to children
• Avoid storing objects which you use, above the stove to avoid getting burned
• If necessary, only leave stove flames or live toasters unattended for short periods of time.

IF YOUR CLOTHES CATCH ON FIRE – "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL – COOL AND CALL"

• If your clothes catch on fire, first STOP – DON’T RUN, then gently DROP to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and ROLL continuously or back and forth to smother the flames, then cool yourself with water for 10 to 15 minutes.
• CALL 911 for help.

• Before you do anything else, CALL 911 – provide the Fire Department with specifics about the nature of the fire
• Establish at least two ways to escape from every room of your home, and incorporate these into an escape plan
• If you live in a high-rise, become acquainted with your building’s specific evacuation procedures
• Make sure escape plans are clearly posted in common areas of high-rises
• Perform evacuation drills at least twice a year
• Become familiar with use of the fire escape or a ladder; know proper treatment of fire doors (don’t lock or prop open)
• Have a pre-determined meeting place outside the premises where everyone can be accounted for
• Plan on remaining outside, once you have exited, out of the way of firefighters, until firefighters deem re-entry safe

• Protect yourself before protecting your valuables, be prepared to exit quickly
• Avoid elevators during a fire to avoid being trapped
• Avoid smoke wherever possible, and if necessary, crawl below smoke level with head no more than 2 feet from the floor
• Always feel a door for heat before opening it, and use another route if it is hot
• If you are blocked in by heat, fire or smoke at all sides, stay in your room or passageway, with doors closed and fill in the gap around doors with material to keep out smoke
• Signal for help by waiving a flashlight or noticeable object out of any available window, and call the fire department (911) if a phone is at your disposal

• Smoke detectors alert you of potential fire before the fire has gotten to you! install and maintain battery-powered smoke detectors inside and outside of all sleeping areas (especially inside rooms with closed doors), and on each level of your home
• Test smoke detectors regularly
• Replace batteries at a minimum of once a year, a good time to do this is when you change your clock for daylight savings time (Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery)
• Replace alarms that are at least 10 years old

• Fire and construction codes in apartment buildings must be enforced
• Make sure all insulation, ceiling and roof materials are up to fire code (insulation improperly placed can be an added fire hazard)
• Make sure fire doors, elevators and fire escapes are in tact
• Install, and know how to use a working multipurpose (wood and grease) fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and grease and/or electrical fire extinguishers in the garage, and anywhere else in the house where applicable
• Consider installing an automatic home sprinkler system (sprinkler systems can contain and potentially extinguish a fire faster than it takes for the Fire Department to arrive)
• If these issues are your responsibility, always schedule inspections or make necessary changes promptly; otherwise, alert building management, or as a last resort, contact the Fire Department with code violations.

• In North America, poor handling of lit cigarettes is the largest cause of fatal fires!
• Avoid smoking when drowsy, or smoking in bed
• Use sturdy ashtrays
• Check for smoldering ashes
• Always allow butts to cool, or moisten them prior to disposal.

• Always operate devices following manufacturers usage instructions
• Recognize electrical warning signs such as flickering lights, blown fuses, a burning smell, circuit breakers that tend to trip, frayed or cracked cords, or sparks
• Don’t run extension cords across doorways or in high-foot traffic areas where they could be pinched or punctured
• Avoid getting water on any live electrical device, or standing in water while using devices
• Inspect devices for testing agency labels (UL approved) to assure their safety
• Repair or replace damaged or malfunctioning electrical devices or components (including fuses) as soon as a problem is encountered
• Prevent overheating by not overloading electrical outlets or blocking equipment air vents
• Always disconnect appliances prior to cleaning, or during long periods of non-use.

• Keep all flammables or combustibles in sealed metal containers stored in cool environments and away from all heat sources
• Avoid smoking in garages or near exposed flammables.

While following these recommendations and procedures will reduce your chances of encountering fire, causes outside of your control, such as arson, could still apply. Always keep life safety measures in mind in the unlikely event that you encounter fire!