Resolve to Make Your Home Safer in 2016: Ring in Fire Safety!

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–If you’re like many Americans, you’re starting off the new year with a
resolution to improve your health. As you make strides toward your
resolution, consider one additional step to maintain your health: fire
prevention. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is urging Americans
to make 2016 a healthy and fire-safe year.

Most people say they feel safest at home. But USFA data shows 83% of all
fire deaths in the United States happen in homes. “These preventable
fires result in more than three-quarters of all fire deaths and
thousands of injuries,” USFA says.

Follow these tips to ring in fire safety this coming year:

• Smoke alarms can wake you up if there’s a fire. Make sure your home is
  protected by working smoke alarms. “Half of all home fire deaths
  happen at night, when people are sleeping,” says USFA. “So install a
  smoke alarm on every level of your home, in every bedroom, outside all
  sleeping areas and in the basement.” Make sure everyone in your home
  knows how to get outside and where to meet if the smoke alarm sounds.
  Interconnected smoke alarms provide the best protection because when
  one sounds, they all sound.
• A smoke alarm with a dead battery is the same as having no smoke
  alarm. Resolve to test all of your smoke alarms to make sure they are
  working. Replace your smoke alarms when they’re 10 years old, or if
  they don’t beep when you test them.
• Cooking is the main cause of home fires and home fire injuries. While
  you’re preparing meals, remember to make safety the first ingredient.
  Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures. Fires
  start when the heat gets too high. If you see any smoke or grease
  starts to boil, turn the burner off.
• If you have children living in your home or visiting look for fire and
  burn dangers from their point of view. Never leave lighters or matches
  where children can reach them. “Keep smoking materials locked up in a
  high place,” says USFA. Children may try to imitate your actions.
  “Never play with lighters or matches when you’re with children.”

For additional fire safety information, visit USFA online at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/.
Follow USFA on social media; @usfire and www.facebook.com/usfire.

Contacts

For U.S. Fire Administration
Chad Villarroel, 904-346-1977
cvillarroel@brunetgarcia.com