Barbeque Grills

Barbequing in any environment presents specific hazards that people should consider so they can take precautions to reduce the likelihood of starting a fire.

 Only use grills outside

• Place your grill away from the home. Grills that are placed too close to the house or other wood structures can heat up and cause a fire to start.
• Make sure your grill is located on a flat, level surface.
• Check your grill for leaks before using your grill, and ALWAYS open the lid of the grill before lighting.
• Never leave your grill unattended while you are cooking. 
• Turn off the burners and close the propane cylinder when done cooking.
• Charcoal briquettes give off a carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas. Always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area.
• Allow coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal.
• If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is often called the invisible killer. It's an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that can be created in the home when heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are not properly vented or are malfunctioning. Signs of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and disorientation.

Follow these practices to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of each sleeping room or inside each sleeping room.
• Test alarms monthly.
• Clear snow and debris from furnace, dryer, fireplace or oven vents around your home to prevent carbon buildup.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds and you feel ill, call 911 immediately. 

 Carbon Monoxide Safety Video

In case of a fire, a closed door can isolate the fire's flow, reduce room temperatures and keep carbon monoxide levels down.

https://closeyourdoor.org/#escape-plan

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Be on alert to stay safe.

• Stay in the kitchen. If you leave the room turn off the stove and move the pan off the burner.
• Watch what you are cooking  fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Keep things that burn away from the stove (pot holders, plastic & wood utensils, etc.) at least three feet from the stove or flame.
• Avoid loose-fitting clothing that can easily catch fire.
• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to use it to cover the pan if it catches fire. 
• If you have a fire in your oven and flames escape it, leave your home and call 911.

More than 80% of families have not practiced home fire drills. Experts estimate you have as little as two minutes to safely escape your home once the smoke alarm sounds.

Follow these guidelines when making your escape plan:

• Designate a safe meeting place outside your home that everyone can get to after a fire.
• Use graph paper to draw a floor plan of your home and show two ways out of each room.
• Make sure each family member is aware of escape options for each room.
• Practice your family escape plan twice each year.
• Periodically inspect all exits and escape routes in your home.

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers can help put out a small fire or contain it until the fire department arrives. In the event of a fire; the number one priority of residents is to get out safely. Every household should have a home escape plan and working smoke alarms.

 Use fire extinguishers on small fires only.

Remember the word PASS:
Pull the pin.
Aim low at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side.                                                                                           

As we grow older, our bodies change. We need to consider these changes and how they may affect our abilities.

In comparison to the population at large, starting at age 65, people are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires. The attached booklet is designed to help you learn about fire safety.

Fire Safety Older Adults

Millions of Americans have a disability and this is why it is important to be familiar with fire safety practices.

 Fire Safety for People with Disabilities

Firefighters, emergency vehicles and personnel need to find your home quickly should an emergency occur.  Your house number should be printed in numbers and NO LESS THAN 4" TALL  and at least 1/2 inch wide in a contrasting color from your house color. 

• Your house number should be visible up to 150 feet from all angles.
• Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers of alphabetical letters.
• Numbers shall not be spelled out.
• Be sure your house numbers can be seen at night.
• Keep your numbers clearly visible throughout the year.
• Post house numbers directly on your house, by the street or on a post or sign made of fire resistant material, and on the mailbox

Pets or wild animals have a part in starting about 750 home fires per year.

PetSafetyTips2025

Here are some tips to help you prevent heating-related fires in your home.  

Always plug your portable heater directly into an outlet. Never us an extension cord.

Keep portable heaters three feet away from anything flammable.

Do not use your space heater to dry wet items like mittens or towels.

Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Never use your oven to heat your home.

Have your home heating system and chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

Older Adult Fall Prevention

• Falls can be prevented.
• Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 38,000 deaths in 2021, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group.
• In 2021, emergency departments recorded nearly 3 million visits for older adult falls.

Stay Safe - Prevent Falls

Residential Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives, playing a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

• Install them in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect your home's smoke alarms so they all ring when one is triggered.
• Place alarms on the ceiling. If alarms are placed on the wall, they must be no more than 12 inches below the ceiling.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries every year.
• Replace smoke detectors after ten years.

Teach children the sound of the smoke alarm and how to exit the home/building when it sounds. Visit escape planning for additional information.

Resources

National Fire Protection Association Information