The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of a fire:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your residence and do proper maintainece.
• Review escape routes with your family. Practice escaping from each room.
• Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level.
• Never use flammable liquids indoors.
• Never smoke near flammable liquids.
• Be careful when using heating sources and cooking burners.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
• Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated. Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.
• Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician.
• Sleep with your door closed.
• Install fire extinguishers in your residence and teach family members how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
• Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention.

What to do During a Fire?

• If your clothes catch on fire, you should stop, drop, and roll - until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.
• To escape a fire, you should check closed doors for heat before you open them. If the door is hot, do not open. Try to escape through other door or window.
• If the door is cool, open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route.
• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
• Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.