Home safety

If A Fire Occurs

When the smoke detector sounds or fire strikes, leave the building immediately. Do NOT go back in. Follow your escape plan and call 9-1-1 for help.

If you are awakened by the smoke detector alarm, get out of bed and crawl low under the smoke. The heat and smoke is intense in a fire; you will not be able to see, and temperatures at the ceiling could reach more than 600 degrees Fahrenheit – enough to kill you immediately. IN A FIRE, SECONDS COUNT!
For early detection of fires, install smoke detectors near your sleeping areas. If you have a multi-story house, install smoke detectors at each level in the home.

If your door is closed, feel the door with the palm of your hand. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it slowly. If there is fire on the other side, close the door and seek another escape route.

If it is safe to leave the room, stay low and get out by the quickest and safest route.

NEVER GO BACK INSIDE FOR ANY REASON! Once you are outside, do not go back inside. The fire department will be there in a matter of minutes. Stay at the meeting place and wait for the fire department.

Clothing, should it ignite, will burn rapidly. If your clothes ignite, DO NOT RUN...STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors can warn you about a fire before it's too late. Install and maintain smoke detectors. Working smoke detectors can alert you to a fire in your home in time for you to escape, even if you are sleeping. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install one inside your sleeping area as well. Remember to change your smoke detector batteries. But they're no good if they don't work. Test smoke detector batteries once a month following the manufacturer's directions, and replace batteries when you adjust your clocks or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use - a disabled detector can't save your life. Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.

For more information on smoke detectors, their design and installation, click here. Smoke detector page

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Plan To Get Out Alive

According to the American Red Cross, fire is the fifth leading unintentional cause of injury and death in the United States and ranks as the leading cause of death for children under the age of 15 at home. For that reason, the Heart of America Metro Fire Chiefs Council, Fire Prevention Division urges residents in the greater Kansas City Metropolitan area to develop a home fire escape plan for their families. In the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 1997 Home Fire Escape Survey, only 16% of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Metro Fire Chiefs ask that you follow these safety tips.

Establishing EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME (E.D.I.T.H.) will insure that everyone in the home will be familiar with the proper procedures should a fire occur. Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke detector, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis. Evacuation plan

Knowing what to do before a fire occurs can save your life. Develop an escape plan for your family — and practice it — today.

Draw a floor plan and know at least two exits from every room. If one is a window, be sure every family member knows how to open it and that it opens easily.

Check windows that would be used in an escape to see that they open easily.

If you have sleeping areas located on the second floor, provide an escape ladder or rope. Check these carefully to make certain they are safe.

If you live or work in a high-rise building, know the location of the exit stairs. Never take the elevator during a fire.

Should you be caught in smoke, CRAWL! Smoke rises, so stay close to the floor where the air will be less toxic.

Designate a meeting place at a safe distance outside the home. A fire is no time to be worrying about who made it out and who did not. By establishing a central meeting place outside the house, you can count heads and not have to wonder who might still be inside.

Practice your fire escape plan with fire drills at least once every six months.

Part of your escape plan should include having someone go to the closest neighbor and call the fire department.

Safety Tips

A home fire escape plan should include:

Working smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas
Two ways out of each room
Unobstructed and easy to use exits
A meeting place outside
A posted emergency phone number for the fire department
Practice the fire escape plan at least twice a year
Families should make plans to assist infants, the elderly, and family members with mobility limitations
Make sure that doors used for escape can be opened easily and that windows are not nailed or painted shut.
React to the sound of the smoke alarm, get out immediately
Never go back inside the home for any reason.

The Raytown Fire Protection District urges parents to talk about fire safety with children. Remember, fire safety education begins at home.

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These are areas that need special attention for fire safety.

Kitchen

Kitchen fires kill hundreds of people and injure thousands in North America each year. Most of these fires can be prevented by following these basic fire safety tips.

Don't leave cooking unattended
Never leave food cooking on your stove or in your oven when you leave home. Stay in the kitchen whenever anything is cooking. Turn off stoves and appliances promptly when you're finished using them and unplug electrical appliances when they are not in use. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take a potholder as a reminder that you have something cooking on the stove. Many accidental fires start simply because the person forgot they left something on the stove. Don't leave spoons or other utensils in pots while cooking. Turn burners and ovens off when they're not in use.
Keep plenty of sturdy oven mitts or pot holders near your cooking area. Using a wet pot holder can result in a severe steam burn. Do not toss wet foods into deep-fat fryers or frying pans containing hot grease or oil. The violent reaction between the fat and water will splatter hot oil.
Remove the lids from pots of cooking liquids carefully to prevent steam burns. Remember, steam is hotter than boiling water. If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. It is dangerous to attempt to carry the pan to the sink

Keep appliances clean
Built-up grease catches fire easily. Wipe appliance surfaces after spills and clean stove surfaces and ovens regularly. Don’t forget the range hood and the filter. Grease laden vapors collect here and cool, leaving grease to accumulate over all surfaces. Without cleaning, grease will continue to build up creating a fire hazard.

Wear close-fitting sleeves
Loose sleeves can dangle too close to hot stove burners and catch fire. Protect yourself by wearing sleeves that fit snugly, or by rolling up your sleeves securely when you cook. Don't store things on or above your stove. Clothing can catch fire when you lean over stove burners to reach shelves.

Keep flammable objects clear of the stove
Pot holders, dishtowels, and curtains catch fire easily. Keep such items at least three feet (one meter) from your stove.

Don't overload electrical outlets
Plugging too many kitchen appliances, especially heat-producing appliances such as toasters, coffee pots, waffle irons, or electric frying pans, into the same electrical outlet or circuit could overload your circuit, overheat, or cause a fire. Keep heat-producing appliances away from walls or curtains. Replace any frayed or cracked electric cords immediately. Never use appliance cords with a cracked, loose, or damaged plug. Keep your home's fuse or circuit breakers in good working order. If an electrical appliance gets wet inside, have it serviced before using it again.

Operate microwaves safely
Microwave ovens stay cool, but what's cooked in them can be very hot. Use potholders when removing food from microwave ovens. Remove lids from packaged microwave foods carefully to prevent steam burns and test food temperature before eating. In microwave ovens, use only containers designed for microwave use. Do not use metal utensils, pans, or containers in a microwave. Not all foods can be placed in a microwave without modification. Unpeeled potatoes and eggs still in their shell tend to explode when placed in a microwave. Become familiar with the manufactures recommendations and operating instructions.

Turn pot handles inward
A pot handle sticking out over the edge of your stove can be bumped in passing or grabbed by a child. Prevent burns and stovetop fires by always turning pot handles in toward the back of the stove. Enforce a "Kid-Free Zone" to keep children at least three feet (one meter) away from the stove.

Heat oil slowly
Heat cooking oil slowly over moderate heat and never leave hot oil unattended.

If a grease fire starts, smother it
Never pour water on a cooking fire. If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off your stove burner. Keep the lid on until completely cooled. If a fire starts in your oven, close the oven door and turn off the heat source. If the flames do not go out immediately, call the fire department.

Close the door on microwave fires
If anything catches fire in your microwave, keep the door closed and turn off or unplug the microwave. Opening the door will only feed oxygen to the fire. Do not use the oven again until it is cooled off, cleaned repaired and serviced.

Hints:

	DO NOT leave food unattended on the stove. If you must leave the kitchen, take a wooden spoon or a potholder as a reminder.
	DO NOT let grease build up on your stove or oven.
	DO NOT let crumbs build up in your toaster.
	DO NOT cook wearing sleeves that can dangle near the burners.
	DO NOT let curtains hang near your oven or range.
	DO NOT put flammable materials such as pizza boxes in the oven.
	DO NOT use your oven or stove to heat the residence.
	DO NOT overload electrical outlets with plug in appliances.
	Make certain all appliances (coffee pot, oven, etc.) are turned off before you leave the home or go to bed.

Bedroom

	DO NOT smoke in bed.
	DO NOT place heaters within three feet of flammable materials.
	DO NOT use heaters to dry clothes.
	DO NOT use extension cords with portable heaters.
	DO NOT leave portable heaters on when sleeping or when leaving the home unattended.
	Unplug heaters when you are not using them.

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Living / Family Areas

Fires common to the living/family areas are usually caused by careless smoking, unattended candles or fireplaces. Animals often knock over unattended candles. These tips may just save your life:

	DO NOT put ash trays on chairs or sofas
	DO NOT run electrical cords under rugs or carpets.
	DO NOT staple electrical cords to walls or floors.
	DO NOT leave cigarettes burning in ashtrays unattended.
	DO NOT leave candles burning unattended. Do not use candles near decorations in your home. Avoid placing candles near drapes or curtains.
	DO NOT leave fireplace fires burning unattended.
	Have the chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before each heating season.

Storage, Utility, Other
You may have flammable materials in your basement or garage. Exercise fire safety inside and out.

If you store gasoline, keep only small quantities outside your home in a shed or detached garage. Keep gasoline in sealed, approved containers designed to store it. Use gasoline only as a motor fuel, never as a cleaning agent.
Before starting your lawnmower, snow-blower, or motorcycle, move it away from gasoline fumes. Let small motors cool before you refuel them.
Always store paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled containers with tight-fitting lids. Use and store all flammable liquids far away from appliances, heaters, pilot lights, and other heat sources.
If a fuse or circuit breaker blows, never replace it with one that exceeds the amperage rating of the circuit, and never replace a fuse with a penny or other conductive material.
Remove trash from your home. Don't store anything near a furnace or water heater.
Use outdoor cooking grills with caution. Never use gasoline to start or enhance the fire, and don't add charcoal lighter fluid once the fire has started - even to glowing coals. You can use dry kindling to revive the flame. Use cooking grills outside only, and well away from the building, vegetation, and other combustibles. Make sure children are supervised while you are using the grill.

fire hydrant

If there is a fire hydrant near your home, you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of vegetation or snow so in the event it is needed, it can be located.

PRE-FIRE PLANNING	YES	NO
Have you planned at least two ways to get out of every room in your home? Family has an escape plan that all family members are aware of.
Do you keep exit routes clear in your home?
Do you know how to notify your fire department quickly and correctly in case of fire?
Smoke detectors are installed on all levels of the house.
Smoke detectors are tested each month, batteries replaced each year
Family practices a fire drill once each year, and knows safe meeting place.
Everyone knows how to stop, drop and roll in case their clothes catch fire
There is a fire extinguisher of the proper type and size available for the home.
Address is clearly visible from the street.
Access for emergency vehicles is kept clear at all times

ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN	YES	NO
Do you make it a rule never to leave small children alone or unattended?
Do your baby-sitters (and you) know the first rule of safety in fire emergencies? —Get everybody out fast, and don't go back in.
Do you show your baby-sitters the escape routes from your home, and give instructions on the correct way to report a fire?

GOOD SMOKING HABITS	YES	NO
Is smoking in bed strictly against the rule in your home?
Do you always make sure that cigarette, cigar and pipe ashes are completely extinguished before you dispose of them? Before going to bed, be SURE there are no cigarettes still burning.
Are matches kept out of the reach of children? Keep matches and lighters above the "strike zone" (too high for children to reach).
If there are smokers in the family, safe ashtrays are present.
Smokers know to check the furniture for smoldering ashes before going to bed each night.
Smokers do not smoke on sofas, beds or overstuffed chairs when they are sleepy or on medication.

HEATING AND COOKING	YES	NO
Are furnaces, stoves and smoke pipes kept in good repair and located far enough away from combustible walls and ceilings so that they do not create a hazard? Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying.
If you have portable space heaters in your home do you see that they are properly maintained and located? Keep portable space heaters away from people, curtains, and furniture.
Do you have an annual inspection of your heating system? Have heating equipment checked and cleaned each year.
Do your sleeves get into things when you cook? Wear tight-fitting clothing when you cook.
Can you stop a cooking fire safely? Smother a pan fire with a lid. Never use water. If cooking oil starts to smoke, turn down the heat. Don't throw whatever's handy on the counter, such as dumping flower from the bag, on the fire (explosion!)
Clothes, curtains and furniture is a minimum of 12 inches from baseboard or portable space heaters.
Chimney is inspected each year, and cleaned when appropriate.
Storage is kept away from the furnace
Furnace filters are cleaned often per manufacturers recommendation.
When cooking, pan handles are kept turned in and cords are kept from dangling where children can pull them off.
The family enforces a "kid free" zone in the kitchen when someone is cooking.
When cooking with grease, there is always an appropriate lid for the pan nearby in case of fire.
Clothes with snug fitting sleeves are worn while cooking.
Food is not left unattended while it is cooking. Food is always turned off if the person cooking has to leave the kitchen.

ELECTRICITY	YES	NO
Do you see that extension cords are never run under rugs or hooked over nails? Avoid using extension cords wherever possible (especially small-wired cords use with high-wattage appliances.)
When the breaker "trips" or a fuse blows, do you investigate WHY it happened? If a fuse blows (or a breaker "trips"), find the cause. Remove excess appliances (lamps, stereo components, space heaters, etc.) from a breaker circuit that frequently "trips".
Is the right size fuse (20 amps for lighting circuits) in each socket in the fuse box? Replace the fuse with one of the correct size.
Is your TV well ventilated? Allow air space around the TV to prevent overheating. If it doesn't work right, it can be a fire danger.
Electrical cords are not frayed or worn.
The motors on the refrigerator, dryer, furnace and other electrical appliances are clean of dust and lint.
If an appliance isn't working right, the family stops using it and has it fixed.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING	YES	NO
The garage, attic, closets and the yard are clear of combustibles like papers, old clothes, furniture and other junk. Sort and remove rubbish. Don't store things near the furnace or heater.
Are gasoline and other flammable liquids stored in safety cans, and kept well away from both heat and children? Move flammable liquids away from heat. Do not store flammable liquids in the home. Keep them stored outside and away from the house in a separate storage building. Don't fill a hot lawn mower or other motor; let it cool first.
Gasoline is never used to start fires or for cleaning purposes.