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Fire Prevention Guidelines

Fire Prevention is a Year Long Effort

About 4,000 people lose their lives and 20,000 are injured in fires each year.  Cooking related fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries.  See Prevent Cooking Fires.  The tips below may prevent your family from experiencing a fire tragedy.

1. Are your smoke detectors less than 10 years old with good, working batteries?  If not, contact the Niles Fire Department at 683-0160. We have FREE smoke detectors that have been provided through a partnership with the Public Safety Program and Lowes Home Improvement. Our firefighters will install these new smoke detectors FREE of charge in your home.  No one should sleep without several working smoke detectors throughout their home. 
2. Install a smoke detector in every level of your home, outside and inside every room used for sleeping.  Test you detector at least once a month and change the battery at least once a year. 
3. Are space heaters 3 feet away from walls, sofa, and anything else that burns?
4. Always use candles with care.  There should be a 3 feet diameter of open space around candles.  Never place near draperies or other flammable objects. Never leave children alone with candles and always blow them out when you leave the room.
5. Are extension cords working properly? Don't run them under carpets, or furniture legs.  Inspect all connections regularly for heat or damage.
6. Encourage smokers to smoke outside.  Never smoke in bed.
7. Keep all lighters and matches up high and secured away from children.
8. If you do smoke inside, make sure ashtrays are deep and sturdy and are emptied regularly only after assuring everything in them is completely extinguished.
9. Keep all flammables including lawn mowers and motor cycles away from water heaters and furnaces. (Danger of leaking gas/fumes)
10. Make sure your storage areas are clean.  There should be no oily rags or used paint rags stored inside your home, garage or shed.  
11. Never leave cooking unattended.  A serious fire can start in seconds.  If you are tired or are under the influence of medication or alcohol avoid cooking.  Many people have been overcome when they planned to sit down for just a second and fell asleep.
12. Don’t cook with loose fitting clothing.
13. Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup and make sure countertop are clear of combustibles at least 3 foot away.
14. If fire breaks out while cooking on the stove simply cover the pan with a lid or cookie sheet to smother the flames.  If possible shut off the burner and stand back.  If you have an extinguisher, be careful that you don’t splash the burning liquid.
15. If fire breaks out in the oven never open the oven door. Ovens are designed to hold a large amount of heat.  Simply turn off the oven and dial  911 for the fire department.
16. Never use your stove to heat your home.
17. Double check your kitchen before going to sleep or leaving the house.
18. When in doubt, just get out.  The most important safety message is that fire can grow very quickly blocking your exits.  Get your family out of the house immediately!  Then Dial 911 from a neighbor's telephone.