Resources
Fire Prevention
Simple habits that keep families safe.
Test smoke alarms monthly
Press the test button once a month. Replace batteries at least once a year, and replace the whole unit every 10 years.
Make an escape plan
Map two ways out of every room and pick an outside meeting spot. Practice it with the whole household.
Keep space heaters clear
Give portable heaters 3 feet of clearance from anything that can burn, and turn them off when you leave the room.
Know your address
In an emergency, give dispatch your exact address and cross street right away.
Build a Home Escape Plan
A working smoke alarm only helps if everyone in the house already knows what to do when it sounds. Walk through this with your family:
- Plan two ways out of every room, in case one exit is blocked by fire or smoke.
- Pick a meeting spot outside — a specific tree, mailbox, or neighbor's porch — and do a head count there.
- Practice the plan at least twice a year, including with the alarm actually sounding, so kids learn to associate the noise with getting out.
- Feel a closed door before opening it. If it's warm, use your other way out instead.
- Get low and crawl — smoke and heat rise, so the air is clearest near the floor.
- Once you're out, stay out. Never go back inside for pets or belongings — call 911 and let firefighters go in instead.
Room-by-Room Safety Checklist
A quick pass through the house to catch the most common gaps.
Kitchen
- Smoke alarm with a silence button nearby
- A fire extinguisher rated for electrical and grease fires
- Keep the stovetop and range hood free of grease buildup
- Never leave cooking unattended
Bedrooms
- A smoke alarm inside every bedroom, plus one in the hallway outside
- A flashlight within reach of the bed
- Emergency numbers posted near any phone
Furnace / Utility Room
- A smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm nearby
- A fire extinguisher within reach
- Keep anything flammable well clear of the furnace or water heater
Garage
- A smoke or heat alarm — regular smoke alarms can false-alarm from exhaust
- A fire extinguisher near the door
- Never run a car, generator, or other engine inside, even with the door open
Want a prevention talk at your school, business, or community group?
We're happy to visit with an age-appropriate fire safety presentation, or walk your group through a home or workplace safety review.
Request a Visit