Fire Prevention

FIRE SAFETY

	Keep clothes, blankets, curtains and other combustibles at least three feet from portable heaters.
	Place portable heaters where they will not tip over easily.
	Have chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a professional.
	Clear the area around the hearth of debris, flammables and decorative materials.
	Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces and leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
	Keep clothes, towels and other combustibles away from stove burners.
	Never leave cooking unattended.
	Be sure your stove and small appliances are off before going to bed.
	Check for frayed wires and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
	Never overload electrical sockets.
	Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
	Never leave cigarettes unattended.
	Never smoke in bed.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Portable fire extinguishers apply an "agent" that will cool burning fuel, restrict or remove the oxygen, or interfere with the chemical reaction so the fire cannot continue to burn. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher. Consider where you need fire extinguishers. Identify hazardous areas where fires are likely to start and which type of fire would occur in each area.

Extinguishers should be kept in a handy location but remote from the anticipated fire are. Everyone in the family should know where the extinguishers are and how to use them.

For class A fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, cloth, upholstery, plastics or similar materials, use water or dry chemical type extinguishers.

For class B fires fueled by flammable liquids and gases, kitchen greases, paint, oil, kerosene or gasoline, use a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or halon extinguisher. Try and smother the fire if it is small and in you kitchen or garage.

For class C fire involving live electrical equipment or wires, use a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or halon extinguisher. The best way to attack this type of fire is disconnect the electrical supply. Never apply water to any electrical fire.

An ABC fire extinguisher will extinguish all three classes of fire and is the best type to have in your home. Check your fire extinguisher for detailed instructions on how to operate your particular type. The minimum rating for multi-purpose use around the home or small office is 2A:10BC.

SMOKE DETECTORS
Most fire deaths are caused by smoke, not flames. And most fire deaths and injuries occur at night while victims are asleep. The earlier you are alerted to a fire, the more likely it is that you will get out in time. Smoke alarms won't prevent fires, but they will increase your chances of getting out and calling the fire department. Working smoke alarms more than double your chances of surviving a fire.

	How Do Smoke Alarms Work? Smoke alarms sense the presence of products of combustion (like smoke) and this activates an audible alarm. Either batteries or household current can power smoke alarms. There are many models of smoke alarms available for the hearing impaired.
	When Purchasing an Alarm, What Should I Look For? Look for smoke alarms with a loud alarm, a hush feature, a ten-year battery, a malfunction signal and a UL listing. All ionization alarms sold in Oregon must have a hush feature and if solely battery-powered, a ten-year battery.
	How Do I Maintain My Smoke Alarm? First, make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom. The presence of a smoke alarm alone does not guarantee fire safety; it must work. Test your smoke alarms monthly. Vacuum your alarms monthly to remove dust and cobwebs. Replace old alarms. Smoke alarms ten years old or older need to be replaced.

GBeware when you barbecue. According to N.F.P.A, in 1998 alone, there were 6,100 reported home fires involving gas or charcoal grills in the U.S., leading to $29.1 million in direct property damage.

	When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, be sure to leave sufficient space from siding and eaves.
	Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Keep children and pets far away from grills.
	With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
	With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks.
	Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
	Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.

PROPANE

	Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
	Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
	Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
	Never operate a propane-powered grill inside the home.
	Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
	Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions when lighting the pilot.
	If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.

For more information visit the Propane Education and Research Council Web Site.

FIREWORKS
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks lead to thousands of injuries requiring emergency room treatment. These dazzling, but dangerous devices can burn up to 1200° F and can cause burns, lacerations, amputations and blindness.

Manufacturers’ participation in Federal safety regulations, combined with increased consumer awareness is making the Fourth of July Holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100s continue to be a problem. Though banned since 1966, these illegal explosives still account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries.

Illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem. On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes combined. But because most people encounter the risk of fireworks only once a year, many Americans do not realize how great that risk is.

You really must leave fireworks to the professionals. Their shows are spectacular and safe. Amateur displays are unacceptably dangerous, especially to children, whose injury rates are several times those of adults.

Stay back at least 500 feet from professional fireworks displays. Treat all fireworks, whether legal or illegal for consumers, as suitable only for use by trained professionals. If you find fireworks, do not touch them but instead direct authorities to them. Leave any area where amateurs are using fireworks.

CAMPING

	Always use a flame retardant tent and set up camp far away from the campfire.
	Only use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns inside the tent or any other closed space, not liquid-filled heaters or lanterns.
	Always build your campfire down wind away from your tent.
	Clear all vegetation and dig a pit surrounded by rocks before building your campfire.
	Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.
	Always put out a campfire when going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
	To extinguish the fire, cover with dirt or pour water over it

BOATING

	Boat sober - Alcohol affects your ability to function in three critical ways. Your balance, judgment and reaction time are affected almost immediately with the first drink. On the water, as on the road - don't drink and drive.
	Be sure to extinguish all smoking materials and shut down motors, fans and heating devices before fueling a boat.
	In case of a spill, wipe up fuel immediately and check the bilge for fuel leakage and odors.
	After fueling and before starting the boat's motor, ventilate with the blower for at least four minutes.
	On board your covered boat, consider installing a smoke detector and test the battery before using the boat each time, replacing the battery with a fresh one at least once a year.
	Only use portable stoves and heaters specifically designed for marine use.

GASOLINE

	Keep gasoline out of children's sight and reach.
	Do not use or store gasoline near possible ignition sources (i.e. electrical devices, oil or gas-filled appliances, or any other device that contains a pilot flame or spark).
	Store gasoline outside the home (i.e. in a garage or lawn shed) in a tightly closed metal or plastic container approved by an independent testing laboratory or the local or stat fire authorities.
	Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers (i.e., milk jugs).
	Store only enough gasoline necessary to power equipment and let machinery cool before refueling it.
	Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent. Clean up spills promptly and discard of clean-up materials properly.
	Do not smoke when handling gasoline.
	Never use gasoline in place of kerosene.
	Use caution when fueling automobiles. Do not get in and out of the automobile when fueling. Although rare, an electrical charge on your body could spark a fire, especially during the dry winter months.
	Only fill portable gasoline containers outdoors. Place the container on the ground before filling and never fill containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck.
	Do not use cellular phones or other electrical devices while fueling vehicles.

POOL CHEMICALS
Liquid and solid chlorine-based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products. These chemicals can spontaneously combust if contaminated by organic materials (such as body fluids, acid rain, etc.) or hydrocarbon liquids such as fuel or motor oil. This type of fire will result in toxic fumes that can be extremely dangerous and require resident evacuation. Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and always store them well away from other items. If the container is punctured or otherwise damaged, properly dispose of the chemicals.

LANDSCAPING / GARDENING
Trim tree limbs so they do not hang over the roof, and keep eaves and gutters free of leaves and other debris that burn easily. Clear weeds, brush and other flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from your home, and store firewood away from all structures.

Click on the link below for more fire safety tips.

U.S. fire Administration