Frequently-Asked Questions, continued

More on Smoke Detectors
Photoelectric smoke detectors use light to detect smoke.  Photoelectric detectors tend to be better at sensing smoky fires. 

Ionization smoke detectors use an ionization chamber to detect smoke. These detectors are better at detecting smoke produced by free burning or flaming fires. This type of smoke detector is typically less expensive.

More on Implementing a Home Escape Plan
Gather all household members and get started planning your escape. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan and marking two ways out of each room. Here are some additional hints and tips:

• Make sure that you have properly working smoke detectors throughout your home.

• Practice the plan.  

• Doors and windows should open easily.

• Choose an outside meeting place (e.g., neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox or stop sign).

• Make sure that your street number is clearly visible from the street so emergency personnel can easily find your home.

• Have everyone memorize the emergency phone number (9-1-1).

• If there are infants, older adults or family members with mobility limitations make sure someone is assigned to assist them in an emergency.

• Advise your guests and visitors in your home about your family's fire escape plan. When staying overnight at someone else’s home, ask about their escape plan. Prepare your children to ask when visiting friend's houses overnight.

• Be fully prepared for a real fire. When a smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately. Never go back in.

• Close doors on the way out. This slows the spread of fire.

• In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your room or home. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice "sealing yourself in for safety" as part of your home fire escape planning. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use towels, blankets, sheets or anything that you can find to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. If you are in a room with a window that is too high to safely exit through, open the window and yell to get someone’s attention.

• If you are trapped inside of a room that does not have a window, try to find something that you can use to bang on the floors and walls to help the firefighters find you.

Candles
Candles should always be properly supported and never left unattended.

Flammable Liquids
Flammable and combustible liquids (gasoline, lamp oil, Coleman^© fuel, charcoal lighter fluid) should always be properly stored up high and out of reach of children.

Appliances Not Properly Serviced and Maintained
Gas fueled appliances that are not properly serviced and maintained can be a fire hazard as well as a carbon monoxide (CO) exposure hazard. Never run any heating appliance inside your home that could produce carbon monoxide. If you are not certain if your heating appliance is safe for indoor use, do not use it until you have checked with the manufacturer to verify the safe and proper use of the appliance.

Fireplaces and chimneys not properly serviced and cleaned can be a fire and CO hazard.

Electrical work and/or repairs should only be done by a certified electrician.

Extension Cords
Extension cords should only be used as temporary wiring. Whenever you have a need to power an appliance for more than a short period of time, a certified electrician should be hired to properly install an appropriate outlet close enough to the appliance that an extension cord is not needed.

• Whenever an extension cord is used, the size (gauge) of the cord should be adequate to carry the required amperage of the appliance that it is serving.
• Extension cords or any other wiring that is damaged should be discarded.
• The grounding prong on 3-prong cords and/or appliances should never be removed or bypassed.
• Placement of electrical cords should be carefully considered as to not create potential tripping and falling hazards.
• Never overload outlets or circuits by using multi-plug adapters.

Swimming Pools
Never allow small children to play near swimming pools or open water without adult supervision.

Automobiles
Never warm up or run your automobile inside the garage. This can easily create an unsafe condition exposing your family to carbon monoxide.

Burns
Ensure that your water heater is set at a safe temperature (110 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) to prevent burns. 

Other Resources
Check out the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site www.cpsc.gov to find recalls and safety bulletins for products and items that may be in your home.

More about Kitchen Safety
Keep an eye on your cooking. A stovetop fire can start in a flash. Long dangling sleeves or sweaters can easily brush against a burner and catch fire. 

Related Topics
Frequently-asked questions