Fire Safety

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR HOME BY PREVENTING LIFE THREATENING FIRES

Fire Safety Tips

80% of local fire deaths and 65% of fire deaths nationwide occurred where there were no working smoke detectors.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors

  • Provide an early warning.
  • Prevent injuries and save lives.
  • Place at least one working detector on every floor of your home and in every area where people sleep.
  • Change batteries every six months or when you change your clocks.
  • Test smoke detectors at least once a month to make sure batteries and smoke detectors are in good working order.
  • Replace any smoke detectors that are over ten years old.

MAJOR CAUSES OF HOME FIRES

Cooking Fire

Cooking

  • If a fire starts in a stove-top pan, cover it with a lid and turn off the heat.
  • If a fire is burning in your oven, keep the door closed.
  • Never leave food, especially grease, unattended on the stove.
  • Turn pot handles inward so children won't pull them down from the stove.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher near the stove - one that can be used for grease or electrical fires.
Electrical Fire

Electrical

  • Have a professional electrician check wiring, particularly in an older home.
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets and excessive use of extension cords.
  • Destroy frayed extension cords and never run cords under carpets.
  • Use the proper amp fuses for the specific wiring in your home.
  • Replace all fuses with type "S" fuses to prevent overfusing.
Space Heater

Space Heaters

  • Keep flammables such as bedding and draperies 3 feet from space heaters.
  • Place space heaters on protective mats. Be sure they are level so they won't tip.
  • Plug space heaters directly into wall sockets and unplug when not in use.
  • Never add fuel to a space heater that's turned on or still hot.
  • Keep children away from space heaters.
Smoking & Matches

Smoking & Matches

  • Never smoke in bed or when drowsy.
  • Never throw lit smoking materials in trash can.
  • Never smoke or light matches near combustible materials.
  • Teach children the danger of playing with matches and lighters and keep them away from children.

JUVENILE FIRE SETTER INTERVENTION PROGRAM (JFSIP)

The JFSIP is a statewide program through the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (www.ifsa.org) providing prevention education, intervention and referrals, if warranted, for the children and families of Illinois to reduce the frequency and severity of fires set by juveniles. Partnering with the fire service, this program provides a coordinated referral center for the assessment and treatment of juvenile fire setters and their families, thereby slowing down the often devastating results of fire setting. For assistance in dealing with a juvenile showing fire setting tendencies call the JFSIP toll free number at (800) 634-0911.