Basic home safety
Smoke alarms -- The easiest way to save lives is by installing smoke alarms. All you need are two screws and a battery. Since smoke alarms were introduced to consumers back in the 1970s, deaths in home fires have been cut in half. Install at least one UL-listed smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement and outside each sleeping area. UL has found, in part because of changing home environments, people can optimize the effectiveness of smoke alarms by having both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarm technology in their home. Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace smoke alarm batteries once a year.
Fire escape planning -- Draw a simple floor plan of your home. On it, mark two exits from every room, including windows, and an outside family assembly point, such as driveway or parking lot. Write "Call 911" on the escape plan and post it in a central location, such as the refrigerator door.
A fire drill in your apartment, condominium or house requires every family member to practice opening the doors and windows necessary to escape. Rehearse the plan until everyone understands it. Also, have a Parental Plan B. Children, older people and those with special needs may not wake up to the sound of a smoke alarm.
Alternative heating -- Before using a space heater, be sure it is three-feet from combustibles such as draperies, clothing and furniture. Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors should be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as inspections suggest. Fireplaces must have a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Furnaces should be inspected and serviced once a year, but homeowners should replace or clean the furnace filter regularly. Keep combustible materials, such as paint thinners, gasoline or kerosene, away from the furnace. And finally, cooking stoves, gas ovens and grills should never be used for heating a room or home.
Cooking -- Never leave food unattended while cooking, and keep children and pets away from the cooking area. Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking, since loose clothing can dangle onto burners and catch fire. In the event of a range-top fire, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid onto the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pot or pan is cooled. Never use water, baking soda or flour to extinguish a grease fire Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher handy in the event of a grease fire. Never carry the pan outside-you could spread flames throughout the house. In case of an oven fire, immediately turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.
Electrical safety -- Electrical shocks, hot outlets and hot plugs, burning smells and flickering lights are signs that your home's wiring system needs professional attention. The National Electrical Code® says extension cords are not meant to be a permanent replacement for wiring and should not be fastened in place or covered by a rug. Keep cords away from tabletops where children can pull on them and out of doorways where people might trip. If you have babies or toddlers, keep UL-listed covers over your electrical outlets.
