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You CAN Improve Fire Safety In Your Home. Start by making a
fire safety inspection of your home. Check your house or apartment room
by room to see which of these fire hazards you can find. Then take action
to correct them! |
BASEMENT, GARAGE, STORAGE AREAS:
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Piles of stored newspapers or other rubbish. Newspapers stored in a damp,
warm place may ignite spontaneously.
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Oily, greasy rags. If these must be stored, they should be kept in labeled,
sealed, metal containers. Flammable liquids (varnish, paint remover, paint
thinner, contact adhesives, cleaning fluids) stored near open flame or
pilot lights and in anything other than labeled, sealed metal containers.
Dispose of outdated or empty cans properly.
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Overloaded outlets or extension cords.
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Fuses of the wrong size.
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KITCHEN:
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Matches within easy reach of children.
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Overloaded outlets or extension cords.
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Curtains or towel racks close to the range.
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Flammable liquids (cleaning fluids, contact adhesives, etc.) or aerosols
stored near the range or other heat source. Remember, even a pilot light
can set vapors on fire. Dispose of outdated or empty cans properly.
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Worn or frayed appliance or extension cords.
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LIVING \ FAMILY ROOM & BEDROOMS:
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Too small or too full ashtrays. Ashtrays should be large, deep, and emptied
frequently, but only when all signs of heat and burning are gone.
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Matches and lighters within reach of young children.
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Worn or frayed extension cords or other electrical cords run under rugs
and carpets or looped over nails or other sharp objects that could cause
them to fray.
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Insufficient air space around TV and stereo that could cause them to overheat
and start a fire.
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Curtains, furniture, papers near a space heater.
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Overloaded outlets or extension cords.
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Safe!
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Remove all materials on or near your stove that could catch
on fire, including paper, dishcloths, etc. |
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Put a box of baking soda and a large pot lid next to your stove.
Get a kitchen fire extinguisher and learn how to use it. |
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Remove electrical cords from under rugs, those nailed to walls
and behind radiators. |
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Replace damaged cords on electrical appliances. |
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Remove "octopuses" from electrical outlets. |
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Discard old and unneeded flammable liquids such as cleaning
fluids and paint thinners. |
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Move flammable liquids stored near stoves or other heat source
to a safe, distant location. |
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Clear area around portable space heaters of drapes, furniture,
and other burnable materials. |
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Empty ashtrays of paper, place ashes into the toilet. |
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Test your smoke detector regularly and replace batteries twice
a year when you change your clock for Daylight Savings.
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Un-Safe!
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Cooking while wearing clothes with loose, floppy sleeves or full, billowing
tops or skirts that may catch fire |
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Reaching over a range or climbing onto a range to get something stored
above it |
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Attempting to extinguish a grease fire with anything but baking soda
or a lid |
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Cooking without long hair tied back |
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Using gasoline to start a fire in the grill or adding lighter fluid
to an already-lit fire |
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Smoking in bed, in a chair or on the sofa when tired, drinking, or
under medication |
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Smoking while using a cleaning fluid, a paint thinner or another flammable
liquid |
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Using a cigarette lighter after spilling fluid on the hands or clothing |
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Leaning against a range for warmth or standing too near a heater or
fireplace |
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Peering into a closet with a lighted match, lighter or candle |
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Sticking paper or wood into a space heater, especially children |
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Playing with matches or lighters Small children do this frequently
and so do some adults. |
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Spraying aerosols (perfume, hair spray) while smoking or near a space
heater, range or other ignition source |
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