Fire Prevention Tips

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. 60 percent of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly save lives.

  1. Fire is FAST!
  2. Fire is HOT!
  3. Fire is DARK!
  4. Fire is DEADLY!

There is little time! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Most deadly fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

The presence of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors greatly increase the chance of survival during a fire or other hazardous event.

Smoke alarms should be present on each level of your home and in each bedroom, while carbon monoxide detectors are most efficient in common areas and near bedrooms.

Detectors should be tested and cleaned once a month and their batteries changed twice a year. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

The Hagerstown Fire Department continues to offer it's citizens who live in homes of 3 units or less one free smoke detector per living level.

Request a Smoke Alarm

Additional Home Safety Tips

  1. Cooking Safety
  2. Electrical Safety Tips
  3. Fire Escape Planning
  4. Heating Safety
  5. Home Safety Checklist
  6. Smoking Safety