Safety Tips
Planning and prevention are the keys to fire safety. Protect yourself and your family by taking simple precautions.
- Every household should develop a fire escape plan which includes two different ways out of each room, especially bedrooms. Everyone in the house should know where to meet outside after escaping from a fire.
- Keep matches, lighters, etc. up high where children can't see or reach them. Keep anything that can burn such as books, paper and clothing at least three feet away from space heaters. Keep children away from portable heaters and space heaters.
- Never leave cooking unattended and don't let pot handles stick out over the edge of the stove where they can be bumped or grabbed. Turn them in, pointing toward the back of the stove, to prevent spilling hot liquids.
- Never put anything into a microwave unless you are absolutely sure it is safe. Paper, glass, and microwave-proof earthenware are safe. In many cases, metals are not. Read and follow the instructions on all packaged microwave meals. Keep children away from the microwave. Be careful when removing covers from microwave containers; escaping steam can cause severe burns. Cool all foods sufficiently before serving them to children.
Click here for tips on fall prevention and the Babysitter's Checklist, found in our Document Center.