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Fire
Prevention
SMOKE ALARM FACTS
Mastic Fire Department recommends that you install at least one
smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the attic and basement. Even
better is one in every bedroom. Smoke alarms are designed to wake you up if a
fire starts while you are sleeping. Be sure your smoke alarms are near bedrooms
and other sleeping areas in your home.
When was the last time you heard your smoke alarm? Battery-operated
alarms should be tested once a month to make certain they are working.
Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year. The
Mastic Fire Rescue recommends you do this when we change our clocks in the fall
or in the spring.
Replace your smoke alarm every ten years. After ten years, your
smoke detector will have been working consecutively for 87,000 hours. No other
appliance in your home works this long. If you do not know how old your smoke
alarm is, or if it is ten years or older, replace it as soon as possible.
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Fireplaces and Wood Stove Safety
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves are a common source of supplementary
heat for our winters, but just because our cold season is short, we cannot
dismiss the dangers of fire hazard. Careful attention to safety can minimize
fire hazards.
Check out these safety tips.
Have your chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to preventing
embers or sparks from jumping out.
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
Never burn charcoal indoors, for it can give off lethal amounts of carbon
monoxide.
Do not use excessive amounts of paper to build raging fires in fireplaces. It is
possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. This can cause the
ashes to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
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KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY REMINDERS
1. Keep things that burn away from the cooking area &
appliances in your kitchen. Don't place towels, pot holders, pizza boxes, or
paper bags on the stove or near hot appliances.
2. Clean any grease build-up from the stove, oven & exhaust fan regularly.
Cooking grease & oil ignite easily & burn rapidly. Use a lid or bigger
pan to smother a small pan fire. Do not use water or flour on a grease fire. It
will make the fire bigger. Do not try to carry a burning pan outside or to the
sink. You could accidentally spread the fire. Keep a lid, baking soda, or an ABC
fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen.
3. Avoid reaching over the stove for anything while cooking. Store frequently
needed items in other areas of the kitchen. Don't store cookies or other
"treats" near the stove. It might tempt little children to climb on
the stove. Keep young children & pets away from cooking areas entirely.
4. Keep pot handles turned inward, out of the reach of children & pets. Keep
appliance cords up on counter tops too. Check those cords regularly for frayed
or broken spots. Replace damaged cords or appliances.
5. Dress for fire safety in the kitchen. Don't wear loosing fitting clothing,
like nightgowns & bathrobes while cooking.
6. Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen for some
reason, turn the heat off & take something with you to remind you that you
have something cooking.
7. Shield yourself from steam when uncovering food, especially microwave
servings. Steam can cause serious burns.
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Fire Escape Plan
What would you do if there was a fire in your home? It's important to get
out fast! Never hide or take time to gather up your belongings.
Fires are scary and confusing. They can be loud, burn very fast, and their smoke
can make a room or home very dark. It helps to have a plan so you'll know what
to do to get out of your home!
Making escape plans help you get out of your home quickly in case of a fire. The
best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If one way is blocked by the
fire, you can get out the other way. When escaping, stay low to the floor. Smoke
rises during a fire. The safest air is down low.
You can help your family make an escape plan. Here's how:
Try to find two ways out from every room in your home.
first way out should be a door. Every way needs to be planned and practiced with
grown-ups.
Before opening any door in a fire, feel it first. If it is hot, there may be
fire on the other side. Try to get out another way.
Stay low to the floor when escaping a fire.
Pick a safe and easy-to-remember place outside the home to meet your family
after you get out.
When you get out, call 9-1-1 or the fire department.
Stay outside no matter what. Don't go back for anything!
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Fire Prevention Smoke Trailer
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MFD HOME
This site was created by MFD Official
Photographer, Jim Rugen
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