How to Prevent Fire in Your Home

A few common-sense precautions can reduce the threat of fire in your home. Discuss these precautions with all members of your household. But remember, no home is immune to fire. Although preventing fires is preferable to fighting them, be prepared for the worst.

Plan your exit

• Make an escape plan. Practice fire drills. Every member of your household – babysitters too – should know the exits and how to use them. Keep keys to double-cylinder door locks where they are easily reached.
• Learn your fire-emergency phone number and keep it close to the phone. Program the number into your phone, if you can. But it is usually best to leave a burning building immediately and phone for help from a neighbour’s home or with a cellphone after you are safely out. A small blaze can become a major fire in minutes.

Get out! Stay out!

• If you smell smoke or see flames, get everyone out of the building immediately.
• Get down on your knees and crawl to an exit; during a fire, the air is clearer near the floor.
• Close doors to slow the spread of smoke and flames.
• Agree on a meeting place; go there and "take attendance" to be sure no one is left inside.

Brochure: Preventing Fire and Theft