Most residential fires start in the kitchen. Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen area, three to five feet away from the stove, where it can be easily reached in a hurry.
Illustrated Guides for Fires
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When Cooking
- Set a timer.
- Do not step away from frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
- Stay in the home when simmering, baking or roasting food.
- Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is cool.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop including clothing sleeves and dishcloths.
- Keep a “child-free zone” at least three feet around the stove and other cooking areas.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms detect and alert people to a fire in the early stages. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. The chance of dying in a home fire is cut in half when there is a working smoke alarm.
- Put smoke alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area.
- Test smoke alarms once a month using the test button.
- Replace batteries on a regular schedule.
- Make sure everyone knows the sound of the fire alarm and how to respond.
- Draw up a fire escape plan for your home and practice with everyone.
Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is a key safety skill. Fire extinguishers are suitable to put out a very small fire less than two feet across. Keep a fire extinguisher on every level of your home.
The correct use of a fire extinguisher can be remembered as P.A.S.S.
P = Pull the pin
A = Aim at the base of the flames
S = Squeeze the trigger
S = Sweep side to side until the fire is out
Fires need heat, oxygen and a fuel source to keep burning. If the fire is too big for a fire extinguisher, leave immediately and from a safe distance call 9-1-1.