911 is always your best bet. Even if you know a Firefighter/EMT personally, remember they could be on vacation, at another job, or responding to another emergency.Please be mindful of the first responders trying to help others. Remember they could be on the way to help someone you know!Check smoke alarms. Make sure there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and near sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms every month and replace them every 10 years or when the battery is low. Know the difference between smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. It is important to have both smoke and CO alarms in your home. Combination smoke and CO alarms are available, but if you have separate ones, make sure you know the sound of each alarmNot all fire extinguishers are the same. Fire extinguishers contain different extinguishing agents such as water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical or wet chemical, depending on the kind of fire the extinguisher is intended to be used for. Fire extinguishers vary in size and weight, but it is recommended to select the largest fire extinguisher that a user can safely and comfortably operate.Heat alarms are great for garages and workshops. Be sure to purchase a heat alarm that is hard-wired with a battery backup and is rated for temperatures between 175-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Alarms with lower temperature ratings may sound because temperatures in garages rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and ones with higher temperature ratings may sound too late to warn you of a fire. Don’t install heat alarms near fluorescent lights. Electrical noise and flickering from the lights may affect the alarm’s operation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.Practice outdoor grilling safety. Only use propane, charcoal and wood pellet barbecue grills outside, indoor use can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Place your grill well away from siding and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Maintain a 3-foot safe zone around your grill, this will keep kids and pets safe. Open your gas grill before lighting. Keep an eye on your grill, don’t walk away from it when it is lit. Clean your grill after each use, this will remove grease that can start a fire. Place the coals from your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled. Do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony.Lithium batteries are not like regular batteries. Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in the trash, recycle them at your local battery recycling location. Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot cars, this is a fire risk. Store spare lithium-ion batteries away from anything that can burn.Appliances, electrical cords and outlets are some of the biggest sources of home fires. Always plug major appliances — refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers — directly into a wall outlet, never use an extension cord with a major appliance because the extension cord can overheat and start a fire. Unplug small appliances when you are not using them. Keep anything that can burn away from lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs and use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture. If the appliance has a cracked, damaged or loose cord, replace the appliance. Do not overload outlets or power strips. Insert plugs fully into sockets and never force a 3-prong cord into a 2-slot outlet. Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children. Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit snugly. Always use power strips that have internal overload protection. Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away and avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.Many household chemicals can be dangerous if used wrong. Always follow the instructions on the label when you use and store household chemicals. Don’t mix products, this can cause deadly gases or a fire. Make sure to store products in their original containers out of the reach of children and pets. Store anything that can catch on fire away from your home. Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors in an airy area and be sure to set the container on the ground when you fill it. Never store materials that can cause a fire in the sun or near an open flame or heat source. Use safety locks and guardrails on shelves and cabinets when you store materials, this will prevent them from falling or tipping. Carefully follow the instructions on the label when you need to throw a product out. Aerosol cans may contain chemicals that can burn, if you put them in the trash, they can explode or start a fire. In the event of a spill, clean the area and put the containers in an airy place. If you cannot control the spill, or are unsure about cleanup and disposal, call the fire department.Severe weather can lead to fires and disasters. When bad weather approaches be prepared. Use surge protectors and consider unplugging appliances. If the power is out and you have a portable generator, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords. Don’t fuel your generator when it is running, spilling gas on a hot engine can cause a fire. Make sure you maintain your generator.
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