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Information from the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program

# Seasonal CRD Preparedness Tips October: Home Fire Preparedness

As cooler weather sets in, it's important to ensure your home is prepared for potential fire hazards. October is the perfect time to review fire safety measures to keep your family safe. From heating appliances to fire escape plans, this guide will help you stay prepared.

## Tip #1: Heating Appliance Safety

With temperatures dropping, you’ll likely begin using space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating appliances:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment (like a furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable heater)

- Never leave a space heater unattended, and always turn it off before going to bed or leaving the room

- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional

## Tip #2: Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers

Smoke alarms can save lives by alerting you to a fire in its early stages:

- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas

- Test smoke alarms every month, and replace batteries at least once a year

• Keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in your kitchen, and ensure family members know how to use it

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## Tip #3: Practice Your Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, it’s critical to have an escape plan in place that all family members are familiar with:

- Make sure your plan includes at least two exits from every room in your home

- Conduct fire drills with your family to ensure everyone knows how to get out safely, and designate a meeting spot outside the home

- Teach children how to escape a fire on their own in case adults can't help them

## Tip #4: Cooking Safety

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries:

- Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. Use a timer as a reminder to check food

- Keep flammable items, such as towels and wooden utensils, away from the stove. avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking

- Never use water to extinguish an oil fire. Water can cause the fire to spread. Instead, smother the flames with a metal lid or use a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires

## Source:

• https://www.nfpa.org/

• https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

## For more information contact:

## Cameron Sellers

Community Resource Development - Disaster Educator cameron.sellers@kysu.edu