Every year many lives are lost and properties are destroyed by fires. Many fires can be prevented by taking some simple precautions like these:

• Portable heaters should be unplugged when not in use.
• Turn off appliances before going to bed or leaving the home. I.e. Clothes dryer, Toasters and coffee makers.
• Place matches, lighters and other flame producing items, in areas that children cannot reach.
• Extension cords should never run under rugs or hooked over nails? Avoid using extension cords wherever possible (especially small-wired cords use with high-wattage appliances.)
• 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.
• Sort and remove rubbish. Don't store things near the furnace or heater.
• Make sure furnaces, stoves and smokepipes 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.
• Keep gasoline and other flammable liquids stored in safety cans, and kept well away from both heat and children.
• 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!)

1. Get out of the house!
   Familiarize yourself with at least two exits from each room; for example, one window and one door. Know where the exits are; practice using them.
2. Have a meeting place outside the house.
   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.
3. Call the fire department "911" From a neighbors house!
4. Never, 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.

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.

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.

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

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

REMEMBER, The best way to be fire safe is to prevent fires from occurring.

Knowing what to do should fire occur is very important.
More important still is the prevention of a fire. Take the time to inspect your home for possible safety hazards, bare wires, and improperly operating heating equipment.
Fire prevention is something the entire family may participate in. Encourage children to assist with checking the home for hazards. By taking the time to carefully inspect your home for possible hazards, you may prevent a major catastrophe later on.