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The best way to practice fire safety is to make sure a fire doesn't break out in the first place. That means you should always be aware of potential hazards in your home. Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional home injury and related deaths. By taking these easy steps, you can protect yourself and your family from fires.

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Prevention for Fires Caused by:

Cooking

• Always stay in the kitchen while cooking.
• Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper, plastic bags and curtains at least three feet away from the range top.
• Before cooking, roll up sleeves and use oven mitts.
• Be aware that loose-fitting clothes can touch a hot burner and catch on fire.
• Never leave barbecue grills unattended while in use.
• Keep grills at least three feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.

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Heating

Fireplaces:

• Fireplaces should be kept clean and covered with a screen to keep sparks from jumping out.
• Only wood should be burned in the fireplace. Paper and other materials can escape while burning and ignite nearby items.
• Never leave a fire burning unattended and make sure a fire is completely extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Have the chimney professionally cleaned once a year.

Portable Heaters:

• Carefully read the directions for its use.
• Never place a space heater where a child or pet could accidentally knock it over.
• Never place a space heater too close to a bed, especially a child's bed.
• Keep newspapers, magazines, and fabrics from curtains, clothes, or bedding away from space heaters, radiators and fireplaces.
• Heaters should be at least three feet from anything flammable.

Smoking

• Use “fire-safe” cigarettes and smoke outside.
• Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy surfaces like a table.
• Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.

Candles

• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms.
• Always use stable, candle holders made of material that won’t catch fire, such as metal or glass.��

Gasoline and Other Products

• Store gasoline in a container approved for gasoline storage. Store the container away from the home, in a safe place with a lock.
• Never bring or use gasoline indoors; and use it as a motor fuel only.
• Close the lid on all dangerous products and put them away after using them.
• Don’t plug in too many appliances at once.

Keep Your Family Safe – Have a Plan in Case of Fire

• Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect: hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
• Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.
• Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if clothes catch fire.
• Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed in your new home, or when you remodel.
• Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
• If you have a fire in your home, once you get out, stay out. Do not go back inside for any reason.

(Source: Home Safety Council)