Keep Your Family Safe From Fire

Cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires and fire-related injuries, with winter months representing the peak season for fire deaths. While fire fatalities in the United States have steadily declined over the past several decades, preventable fires continue to claim lives—particularly among children.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fire deaths remain a serious public safety concern. Fire is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14, and working smoke alarms and practiced escape plans significantly reduce the risk of injury and death.

Prevention, preparation, and practice save lives.

Cooking Safety

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires. When preparing meals, make fire safety a priority:

• Stay alert. Do not cook if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.

• Remain in the kitchen while frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.

• When simmering, baking, or roasting, check food frequently and use a timer as a reminder.

• Keep combustible items—oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels, food packaging, and curtains—away from the stovetop.

If You Have a Cooking Fire

• Get out immediately and close the door behind you to help contain the fire.

• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

• Only attempt to extinguish the fire if it is small, contained, and you have a clear exit.

• For a grease fire, slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until completely cooled.

• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Heating Safety

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires. Follow guidance from the American Red Cross:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, and fireplaces.

• Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended.

• Turn off space heaters and ensure fireplace embers are fully extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed.

• Place space heaters on level, nonflammable surfaces—not on rugs or carpets.

• Keep children and pets away from heating equipment.

• Purchase heaters with automatic shutoff protection if tipped over.

Smoking, Electrical Safety, and Candles

Other common causes of home fires include smoking, electrical malfunctions, and candles.

To reduce risk:

• Establish a strict no-smoking policy inside the home.

• Inspect electrical cords and replace any that are frayed or damaged.

• Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet, out of children’s reach.

• Consider switching to flameless candles.

Working Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Essential

Approximately three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Early warning provides critical time to escape.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends:

• Installing smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.

• Mounting alarms on ceilings or high on walls.

• Installing alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to reduce nuisance alarms.

• Testing alarms monthly.

• Replacing batteries at least once a year.

• Replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.

• Installing carbon monoxide alarms and replacing their batteries annually.

• Using strobe-light and bed-shaker alarms for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Make and Practice a Home Escape Plan

A home fire is reported approximately every 88 seconds. Once a smoke alarm sounds, residents may have only one to two minutes to escape safely.

Develop Your Plan

• Draw a map of your home.

• Identify two ways out of every room.

• Ensure all doors and windows open easily.

• Identify secondary escape routes for upper floors, such as adjacent roofs or collapsible ladders.

• In multi-story buildings, use stairs—never elevators.

• Designate an outdoor meeting place a safe distance from the home.

Practice Twice Each Year

The National Fire Protection Association reports that while many families have an escape plan, fewer have practiced it.

Conduct drills during both daytime and nighttime conditions. During practice:

• Crawl low under simulated smoke.

• Practice closing doors behind you.

• Teach and practice “Stop, Drop, and Roll.”

• Test door handles for heat before opening.

• Teach children never to hide during a fire.

Regular practice builds confidence and ensures that every family member knows what to do.

When and How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Your safety is the top priority. If you are unsure about using a fire extinguisher, evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1.

Before attempting to use an extinguisher:

• Ensure everyone else is evacuating.

• Confirm the fire department has been notified.

• Make sure the fire is small and contained.

• Keep your back to a clear exit.

For home use, the National Fire Protection Association recommends a multi-purpose (ABC-rated) fire extinguisher that is large enough to handle a small fire but manageable in weight.

Remember PASS:

• Pull the pin.

• Aim low at the base of the fire.

• Squeeze the handle slowly.

• Sweep the nozzle side to side.

Review extinguisher instructions annually. In an emergency, there will be no time to read directions.

Final Message

Fire does not discriminate—but it is preventable. By prioritizing cooking safety, heating awareness, working smoke alarms, practiced escape plans, and proper extinguisher use, families can significantly reduce their risk.

For additional fire safety education or to schedule a community presentation, contact your local fire department’s Community Risk Reduction Division.