Quick and easy fire prevention tips for parents

Simple Fire Prevention Tips
Many fires can be prevented from occurring in the first place. If there were only a few simple precautions made on a regular basis, a lot of property and lives would be spared:

·	Mind your Turkey Dinner!!! On Thanksgiving day, the amount of fires and the deaths double from what they are on an average day.

·	During the holiday season, keep a natural tree in your house for the least time possible. Be sure to get a fresh tree that isn’t too dry, and take extra precautions around this potential bonfire sitting in your living room.

·	If you see a fire start, you have 30 seconds to get it put out and contained. After that, you should consider evacuating the house and calling the fire department.

After a natural disaster, such as a flood, hurricane, tornado damage, or severe thunderstorm, be sure to have your house checked over for any gas or electrical housings that may have been damaged in the storm. Try to turn off electricity at main breaker and natural gas where it goes into house, if possible. The electricity supply should be the first priority because a natural gas or propane can’t be ignited without a source of electricity.

·	Be sure too keep all matches and lighters locked away from children.

·	Do not smoke in the house.

Never overload circuits or use too many octopus outlets. If your lights flicker or dim when extra appliances are plugged in, the circuits are overloaded, and you should move some of the electricity appliances over to another circuit. Consult a qualified electrician if necessary to add more outlets or circuits if needed.

·	Be sure to replace any electrical appliance or cord if the cord is even slightly torn or frayed. It isn’t worth the risk. A fire is possible if the cord is exposed.

·	Remove security bars from the windows in your house, if you have them. Or be sure that they can be easily removed from the inside in the event of a fire.

·	Keep the stove clean of grease and build up. Also don’t lay any combustible material close by the stove, such as food cartons, napkins, etc. This is a common cause of kitchen fires.

·	Never use candles or space heaters where a pet can tip them over and start a fire. Put out all candles before going to bed.