- Home
- Departments
- Fire Department
- Fire Safety and Prevention
Fire Safety and Prevention
3 G's of Fire Protection
- Get a plan
- Get to safety
- Get help
Ways to prevent a fire
- Don't smoke indoors
- Don't leave candles unattended
- Don't leave your stove unattended
- Clean out the lint filter from your dryer
- Secure wires
- Limit open flame exposure
Fire Alarms
Even when you are careful, a fire can still happen. A smoke/fire alarm can help alert you of a fire. Place fire alarms in every level of your home, right outside rooms. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, it is highly suggested to put a fire alarm in your room. Test fire alarms monthly and change the batteries every 10 months.
Fire extinguisher
- Get as many fire extinguishers as you can and place them around your home
- Ensure everyone in your house can locate the fire extinguishers
- Ensure everyone in your house knows how to use a fire extinguisher
During a Fire
- Cover your mouth and nose with a piece of cloth to keep you from inhaling toxic smoke
- Choose the escape route that is safest, preferably without smoke and heat
- Closing the doors on the way out will slow the spread of fire and give you more time to escape
- If you can't find your pet, get out and let responders search your home
- If your pet is still inside open as many doors as possible and call your pet to exit
Helpful Links
Why should I create a fire escape plan?
House fires are almost always unexpected. They can happen any day, at any time. Having a plan set in case of a fire is a good way to help get yourself and your family to safety. Follow the following steps to help your family and you create a fire escape plan.
Creating a fire escape plan for your family and pets
- Gather all your household members together and start creating a map of the house.
- Identify all exits and possible escape routs on the map
- Identify your pets hideaways on the map
- If you have a two-story home, get an escape ladder
- Choose a meeting place that is a good distance away from the house for everyone to meet in case of a fire
- If you have pets, children, or adults that cannot get themselves to safety, assign someone to take them to safety
- When you get out, stay out! If someone is missing, inform the fire department or dispatcher
Test your plan
- Practice your plan twice a year and make drills as realistic as possible
- Improve on your plan and make changes as needed
- If you have a two-story floor, make sure everyone knows how to escape from the second floor
What if you can't escape?
Practice "sealing yourself in". This technique requires you to close all doors between you and the fire. Cover all the door cracks and the vents to prevent toxic smoke from getting in. Wait for a fire rescue to get you out safely
Helpful Links
Why is having a emergency kit important?
A disaster can strike at any moment. When you have an emergency kit prepared all you have to do is get your family and leave while still taking with you your valuables and necessities. Whether its a house fire or a natural disaster, its always good to be prepared.
Basic Emergency Kit:
- Change of cloth of warm and cold temperatures
- Medicine and First-Aid Kit
- Hygiene products
- Important documents
- Batteries and flashlight
- collapsible bowls and cups
- contact solution or extra glasses if someone in your household needs glasses
- cash
- a card game or any other comfort item
- food and water is possible
Emergency Kit with children:
If you have children it is important to also keep their needs in mind when creating an Emergency Kit for your family.
- disposable diapers and reusable diapers incase you can't buy any more disposable diapers
- wipes and baby rash lotion
- baby bottles or lidded cup
- baby cloth for warm and cool temperatures
- medicine safe for children
- a toy or comfort item
Emergency Kit with Pets
If you have pets, you should also include them in your Emergency Kit. Pets also have needs that must be met even in an emergency.
- collapsible bowl
- your pets food
- a toy and treats to keep them entertain
- any medication that your pet may need
- extra collar and a leash