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What are the Best Tips for Fire Prevention?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Fires claim the lives of thousands of people and result in substantial amounts of property damage every year. In many cases this is because common fire prevention tips were not followed. The number of interior and exterior fires can be reduced if children are taught the dangers of fire, people smoke responsibly, and certain activities are always supervised.

Smoke alarms can play an important role in fire prevention. For this to be the case, however, people have to use them properly. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of a building and there should be a sufficient number of devices on each level. These devices should be tested and cleaned regularly and the batteries should be changed at least once a year. Smoke alarms generally have a lifespan of about ten years, so they should be replaced at least once per decade.

Being careful with cigarettes can help prevent some fires.
Being careful with cigarettes can help prevent some fires.

There are certain household activities that should be monitored for the sake of fire prevention. One of these is cooking. A stove that is in use should never be left unattended and all flammable materials, such as pot holders or food packages, should be kept away from the burners. Care must also be taken when doing laundry. Dryers are often responsible for domestic fires and, therefore, should not be left unattended.

Smokers should not dispose of cigarettes on the ground or in trashcans.
Smokers should not dispose of cigarettes on the ground or in trashcans.

People should always be observant of the electrical wiring in the buildings they occupy. Extension cords and power strips should be used according to their instructions, which generally warn against overloading them or placing them in areas where they will overheat. Any broken or frayed wires or cords should be immediately repaired or replaced. If this is not possible, use should be discontinued and damaged items should be discarded.

Having working fire extinguishers is part of a fire protection plan.
Having working fire extinguishers is part of a fire protection plan.

Teaching children good habits can also play a major role in fire prevention. Children should begin receiving lessons at a very young age about the dangers of fire and heat-producing devices. Matches and lighters should not be carelessly left around when small children are present. Furthermore, children should not be allowed to use or adjust equipment such as cooking stoves, heating stoves, or irons, without adult supervision.

Frayed wires should be immediately repaired or replaced to help prevent a fire.
Frayed wires should be immediately repaired or replaced to help prevent a fire.

There are also special fire prevention considerations for smokers. Cigarettes that are carelessly tossed away can result in exterior or interior fires. People who smoke should not discard cigarette butts on dry ground or into trashcans. Instead, when a person is finished smoking, he should have a receptacle designated for his waste. People are also advised not to smoke when they are in bed or drowsy.

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

Always keep a fire extinguisher in your car. Think about what propels cars--gas and electricity. These fuel sources can ignite or create a spark that leads to a fire. Once a fire starts under the hood of a car, there is plenty of potential fuel for the flames.

By the way, keep the fire extinguisher well maintained. What's more demoralizing than watching your car go up in flames? Watching your car go up in flames as you stand there with a useless fire extinguisher.

Drentel

I had a dryer for many years before I heard that they could be fire hazards. Many a day, I would leave my apartment or house and leave a load of clothes turning and tumbling in the dryer.

I never had a problem, but then I began to hear news reports about the dangers of leaving a dryer running and unattended so I decided to always turn the dryer off before leaving the house.

Animandel
How many times have you seen someone in a car discard a cigarette out the window? This act appears even more dangerous at night because you can see the light from a lit cigarette as it exits the window and then sparks on the pavement of the street.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this is one of my pet peeves. What gives people the idea that throwing lit cigarettes out of car windows is no big deal? Not only is this littering, but it is potentially dangerous to people, homes, trees and wildlife.

Anyway, this should be covered in the fire safety training manual because so many people haven't gotten the message yet.

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    • Being careful with cigarettes can help prevent some fires.
      By: Николай Григорьев
      Being careful with cigarettes can help prevent some fires.
    • Smokers should not dispose of cigarettes on the ground or in trashcans.
      By: nito
      Smokers should not dispose of cigarettes on the ground or in trashcans.
    • Having working fire extinguishers is part of a fire protection plan.
      By: isonphoto
      Having working fire extinguishers is part of a fire protection plan.
    • Frayed wires should be immediately repaired or replaced to help prevent a fire.
      By: rdnzl
      Frayed wires should be immediately repaired or replaced to help prevent a fire.