Cigarettes are the cause of 15 percent of house fires. Individuals who smoke should never smoke while they are lying down in bed or on a couch.
Smokers should make sure all cigarette butts are accounted for and completely extinguished before they go to sleep. Smokers are advised to use large, deep ashtrays and to wet their cigarette butts, matches and ashes before they are dumped into a trash receptacle.
Cooking
House fires can start in the kitchen. People are advised to not wear loose-fitting sleeves when cooking as they may catch on fire or get snagged on a pot or pan handle. Keep pot and pan handles turned to the rear of the stove to keep them from being knocked off. When cooking food, stay in the kitchen at all times. Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen. If a grease fire should erupt, cover the pan with a lid, if possible, and use a fire extinguisher if it starts to get out of control.
Heating Equipment
Wood stoves, space heaters, gas heaters and fireplaces are the cause of many house fires. Items that can burn should be kept at least 3 feet away from heat sources. This includes things such as curtains, furniture, walls and blankets. When using fuel heaters, only use the kind of fuel that they call for and make no substitutions. All heating equipment should be properly maintained—this includes chimneys. Screens should be used around wood stoves and fireplaces. When removing wood ashes from a fireplace or wood stove, put them in a metal bucket and take them outdoors immediately.
Children
Children playing with matches, lighters and fire is a cause of house fires. Children should be taught that matches, lighters and fire are not toys. Keep matches and lighters up and out of the reach of children. Children should be taught from a young age to bring any lighters or matches they find to you. Children should be taught not to play around or stick objects into heaters, wood stoves or fireplaces.
Hot Spots
There are areas known as ‘hot spots’ that can cause house fires. These include candles, wall sockets, extension and electrical cords, and chemicals. Candles should be extinguished before leaving a room. Wall sockets and extension cords should be monitored to ensure they are not being overloaded. Cracked and splitting electrical cords should be unplugged and replaced. All liquids that burn easily, such as gasoline, kerosene, and paint thinner, should be kept outdoors in closed metal containers.