Preventing Home Fires
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and heating equipment, electrical problems, smoking and candles cause many more. A few habits prevent most of them.
- Homeowners
- Renters
Cooking
- Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, broiling or boiling.
- Keep towels, paper and pot holders away from the stovetop.
- Grease fire: slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat. Never use water, and never carry a burning pan.
- Oven fire: turn it off and keep the door closed.
Heating
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.
- Plug space heaters directly into the wall and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Have chimneys and furnaces inspected every year.
- Never use an oven or grill to heat your home.
Other common causes
- Dryers: clean the lint filter every load and the vent duct regularly.
- Candles: keep away from curtains and kids; blow out before leaving the room. Consider flameless candles.
- Smoking: smoke outside, and use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Never smoke in bed or around home oxygen.
- Lithium-ion batteries: use the right charger for e-bikes, scooters and tools; don’t charge overnight or near exits. See Battery Safety.
- Oily rags from staining can catch fire on their own. Lay flat to dry outside or store in a sealed metal can with water.
Fire extinguishers
Keep a multipurpose (ABC) extinguisher in the kitchen and on each level, and learn to use it with the PASS method. See Fire Extinguishers. Only fight a small fire if everyone is getting out and you have a clear exit behind you.
Standards & references
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