Brand New Dad » Month By Month » 11 Months Old » Prevent Fires and Burns

A fire can start in many areas of your home. Once started, a fire can rage out of control. Protect your family. Prevent fire before it starts. Guard against these hazards.

Smoking: Most deaths in home fires are caused by careless smoking. Someone falls asleep in bed with a lit cigarette. Or someone leaves a cigarette on the edge of a table. Don't let anyone smoke in your home. If people must smoke, ask them to go outside. Provide an ashtray or tin can for matches and butts. You don't want them to flick butts into dry grass or leaves.

Heaters: Place space heaters away from bedding, clothing, drapes and anything else that can catch fire. Don't warm yourself by standing close to heaters. If you're cold, put on extra socks or a sweater. Teach children not to run or play around heaters.

Electrical system: Ask your landlord how old the electrical system is. Older houses were not wired to carry today's electrical loads. You may need heavy-duty outlets for the stove, washer and other large appliances. You may need more outlets for things like clocks, the TV and lamps.

Don't plug several appliances into one outlet. Overloading can cause a fire. Use only the correct size fuses. If a fuse blows out again and again, call for repair. If you feel a tingle when touching a toaster or other electrical device, unplug it. Replace it or have it repaired.

Don't run cords under rugs or carpets. The cord can become damaged and set a carpet on fire. When you leave the house, make sure all appliances are turned off. Never leave an electrical appliance running when you're gone.

Kitchen: Most kitchen fires occur as a result of cooking. Keep towels and other flammable things away from burners. Never leave the kitchen when something is cooking. While cooking, watch your child closely. Turn pot handles to the back of the stove. Use the back burners whenever possible.

Keep your child away when you open a hot oven. If a fire starts on the stove, cover it with a large pot lid or baking pan. Don't throw water on burning grease. It can send the hot grease flying and spread the fire. Instead, douse a grease fire with salt or baking soda. Store matches in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store them out of your child's reach.

Storage areas: Remove piles of trash, old clothes and other things that can burn. Get rid of kerosene, paint thinner and other flammable liquids. If you must use them for a time, keep these products away from heat. Use them only where the air is moving freely. Let paint and polish rags dry thoroughly. If you stuff them into a garbage can on a hot day, the vapors can ignite. Never store gasoline indoors. Never use it to start a fire.

Clothing: Check the labels of your child's clothing and bedding. Don't use any items that say, "Flammable."

Holiday decorations: Keep lighted candles away from paper, curtains and other things that can burn. If you use a live Christmas tree, keep it in a container of wet soil or water.

Next » What To Do in Case of Fire