• Have a smoke detector installed in your home; make sure it's checked out at least monthly. If you know of someone that can not afford a smoke detector, contact the Enterprise Volunteer Fire Company at (609) 587-1835. We will provide them with one or information on how to get one from their own local department.
• Have a licensed electrician examine the wiring in your home; also, have the wiring on your appliances checked out.
• Keep space heaters away from combustible materials.
• Never cook in loose-fitting clothing that could catch fire over the stove.
• Avoid smoking inside the house; if you must smoke, do not smoke in bed, around upholstered furniture or near anything that may ignite easily.
• Keep your address and directions to your house next to your phone, in case you have to call to report an emergency.
• If fire breaks out, put a cloth or towel over your mouth and nose, and crawl low on the floor to the nearest exit.
• In case of a fire: get everyone out of the house immediately; then call for emergency assistance; and do not go back into the house for any reason.
• Talk to other seniors about starting a fire prevention education group; invite a fire official to a meeting.

Protect Yourself from Fire

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms, on every floor of your home and outside each sleeping area. For maximum protection, install smoke alarms in every bedroom. 
• Test smoke alarms monthly. For battery operated smoke alarms change the batteries at least twice a year. If the smoke alarm makes a chirping sound indicating that the batteries need replacing do so immediately. Testing smoke alarms may be difficult for some seniors. Rather than standing on a chair to push the test button, remain on the floor and use a broom handle to push the test button. Smoke alarms with a flashlight test are available.
• Smoke alarms should be cleaned at least once every six months by gently vacuuming the exterior.
• Smoke alarms do wear out and should be replaced at least every ten years.
• Special communication aids, which convert the sound of a smoke alarm into flashing lights or vibrators, are available for hearing impaired people.
• Smoke alarms installed in or near the kitchen should include a pause feature.
• If you have hard wired smoke alarms, install battery operated smoke alarms on every floor in case of a power failure.

Prepare and Practice a Home Fire Escape Plan

• Draw a simple plan of your home and identify two ways out of every room.
• Determine a meeting place outside your home. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Make sure you can unlock and open all windows and doors quickly, especially those with security bars and deadbolts.
• If you are escaping from a second story or higher, plan a safe way to the ground such as a flame resistant rope ladder.
• If you live in an apartment, familiarize yourself with your building floor plan and evacuation procedures. In a fire emergency NEVER use the elevator. Use the exit stairways and close all doors behind you to slow the fire spread.
• If you are dependent on eyeglasses or essential medication, keep these items by your side for easy access in the event of an emergency. Be sure to take them with you.
  

Be Careful When Smoking 

• Never smoke in bed.
• Use safe ashtrays. Large, deep, sturdy ashtrays are best. Soak smoking materials with water before discarding.
• Keep smoking materials including matches and lighters out of reach of young children.
• Smokers must remember that alcohol and medications can make you less alert and impair these safety precaution.
  

Take Care of Heating Equipment

• Keep heaters properly maintained. Only use space heaters that have a protective screen covering the elements.
• Keep all combustibles away from space heaters. Space heaters need at least one (3 feet) of clearance.
• Don't dry wet items such as shoes, towels or clothing on space heaters.
• Always turn off or un-plug space heaters before leaving the house or going to bed.
  

Think Safety in the Kitchen

• Never leave cooking unattended. Turn off appliances as soon as soon as you are through using them.
• Prevent burns by using oven mitts or pot-holders when cooking. Wear tight fitting sleeves to prevent them from dangling into flames or onto hot burners. Always turn pot handles to the back of the stove so that pots cannot be pulled or knocked off.
• To extinguish a grease fire, use a pot holder or oven mitt to slide a lid or cookie sheet over the flames and then turn the heat off. Never carry a burning pot!
• Keep appliances and cooking surfaces free of spills and grease that may catch fire. Keep paper towels, dish towels, pot-holders and other combustibles away from hot surfaces.

What can I do to keep my home fire safe?

Be careful when smoking 

• Never smoke in bed.
• Use safe ashtrays. Large, deep, sturdy ashtrays are best. Soak smoking materials with water before discarding.
• Keep smoking materials including matches and lighters out of reach of young children.
• Smokers must remember that alcohol and medications can make you less alert and impair these safety precaution.
  

Take care of heating equipment

• Keep heaters properly maintained. Only use space heaters that have a protective screen covering the elements.
• Keep all combustibles away from space heaters. Space heaters need at least one (3 feet) of clearance.
• Don't dry wet items such as shoes, towels or clothing on space heaters.
• Always turn off or un-plug space heaters before leaving the house or going to bed.

Think safety in the kitchen

• Never leave cooking unattended. Turn off appliances as soon as soon as you are through using them.
• Prevent burns by using oven mitts or pot-holders when cooking. Wear tight fitting sleeves to prevent them from dangling into flames or onto hot burners. Always turn pot handles to the back of the stove so that pots cannot be pulled or knocked off.
• To extinguish a grease fire, use a pot holder or oven mitt to slide a lid or cookie sheet over the flames and then turn the heat off. Never carry a burning pot!
• Keep appliances and cooking surfaces free of spills and grease that may catch fire. Keep paper towels, dish towels, pot-holders and other combustibles away from hot surfaces.