Carbon Monoxide: The Killer You Can't See 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas and can be a real life hazard to your family. The National Fire Protection Association has a helpful guide so you can better understand the potential danger this poses to your family.

Candles: Important Safety Tips 

Over the last decade, candle fires have almost tripled. In 1999 alone, an estimated 15,040 home fires started by candles were reported to fire departments. These fires resulted in 102 deaths, 1,473 injuries and an estimated property loss of $278 million. Forty percent of U.S. home candle fires begin in the bedroom.

For more information and photos of fires caused by candles: Click Here

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Always keep a burning candle within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.

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Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.

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Keep lighted candles out of reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.

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Do not burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer recommends.

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Keep candles away from drafts, vents and air currents. Drafts can blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.

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Extinguish flame if it comes too close to the holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 2 inches of wax remains (1/2 inch if in a container).

The Importance of Smoke Alarms 

19 of every 20 homes (95%) in the United States have at least one smoke detector. Having smoke alarms in your home reduces your chance of dying in a fire nearly in half.

More than half of home fire deaths result from fires in the 5% of homes with no smoke alarms. In three of every 10 reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms the devices did not work, most often because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries.

For more information & fire pictures relating to Smoke Alarms: Click Here

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Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Make sure there is an alarm in or near every sleeping area.

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Test your smoke alarm at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.

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Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year or as soon as it "chirps", warning that the battery is low. HINT: schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clock from daylight to standard time in the fall. It is easily remembered: "change your clock change your batteries".

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Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can't warn you of a fire if the battery is missing or has been disconnected.

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Don't disable smoke alarms even temporarily - you may forget to replace the battery. If your smoke alarm is sounding "nuisance alarms", it may need dusting or vacuuming. If that doesn't work, try relocating it further away from kitchens and bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.

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Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarm(s) following manufacturer's instructions can help keep it working properly.

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Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years.

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Make sure everyone in your home can identify and awaken to the sound of the alarm.

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