BASEMENT OR UTILITY ROOM
· Label fuses/circuit breakers in electrical boxes so that you know which appliances and electrical they affect.
· Wire tags on gas and water lines for identification in the event of an emergency.
· Lock up or put out of reach cleaning supplies, insecticides and all dangerous substances. Store flammable items well away from a furnace or pilot light. Make certain all flammable substances are in safe containers, sealed and stored properly.
BATHROOM
· Update outlets to electrical code.
· Keep non-skid mats in tubs and showers.
· Properly store toiletries and shampoos to prevent spills and accidents.
GARAGE
· Don't leave your keys in your automobile or other motorized vehicles.
· Do not leave a motor running in a closed garage.
· Store Poisons and flammable liquids in proper containers.
· Hang or properly store garden equipment in a safe location.
· Make certain anti-freeze, oil or other chemical spills are cleaned up and disposed of properly. These substances are of danger to pets as well as children.
KITCHEN AND LAUNDRY
· Under the kitchen cabinet is accessible to you, but also to young children. Unless you can lock this cabinet and keep the key in an out of small hands reach location, an adult only accessible cabinet is the better choice.
· Keep knifes and other sharp objects in a knife block or other safety container.
· To prevent slips and falls have paper towels or clean up rags available to clean up spills immediately.
· Dryers and toasters are two of the most common causes of house fires. Clean your lint filter after every dryer load and clean the lint out of the back of your dryer at least once a year..and always unplug your toaster after every use.
· Kitchen Fire - This dramatic video (20-second) is about how to deal with a common kitchen fire ... oil in a frying pan. Please read the following introduction and then watch the show ...It's a real eye-opener!!
At the Fire Fighting Training school they would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students. The water, being heavier than the oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite. Please view this video clip http://www.ranaldofamily.com/SWF/KitchenOilFire.wmv
OTHER:
· Prevent trips and falls. Keep walkways, porches, halls and stairs well lit and free from clutter.
· Fire extinguishers. Keep one in the garage, kitchen, basement, and yes...even your bedroom. Many fires start at night between 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. Many fatalities are caused by smoke and not the fire itself, which is why you should have smoke detectors on every floor and especially close to sleeping areas.
· Install carbon monoxide detector(s). Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless so often goes undetected. Any fuel-burning appliance in your home is a potential source...so play it safe and have at least one CO detector placed near sleeping areas.
· Never smoke in bed or anywhere that you are likely to fall asleep.
· Use the shortest extension cord possible to prevent tripping or someone catching it on an arm or clothing and pulling an item off a counter. Never, never, run an extension cord under any type of floor covering.
· Install smoke detectors throughout your home and make it a habit to test them monthly to make certain they are working.
· Flammable liquids and smoking. Keep flammable liquids well away from an open flame and never smoke or light matches or lighters near flammable liquids or combustible materials.
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