5 Ways to Prevent Fires at Home

This year, Oct. 5 through 11 is Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association. 

According to NFPA, the majority of fire deaths and injuries occur in the home. From 2015 to 2019, an estimated annual average of 2,620 civilians died and 11,070 were injured in reported U.S. home fires, accounting for 75% of the total U.S. civilian fire deaths and 72% of civilian fire injuries. 

Many home fires are caused by human error and are therefore preventable. During this Fire Prevention Week, brush up on fire prevention with these tips. 

1. Be mindful of lithium-ion batteries. 

NFPA has named this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” highlighting the importance of awareness surrounding safe lithium battery usage. 

Many electronics at home run on lithium-ion batteries, including smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, e-cigarettes, headphones, toys and more. These batteries can overheat and start a fire or explode. To prevent fires from these batteries, NFPA encourages everyone to:  

1. Buy only listed products. 
2. Charge devices safely. 
3. Dispose of/recycle batteries responsibly. 

Read more about safe lithium-ion battery practices. 

2. Test smoke alarms monthly. 

The American Red Cross recommends testing smoke alarms each month and replacing the batteries if they’re not working. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.  

Don’t forget to keep fire extinguishers up to date as well. It’s generally recommended to keep at least one extinguisher on each floor of the home, with a primary focus on places like the kitchen, garage, workshop, basement and areas with fireplaces.  

3. Keep fire out of children’s reach. 

Each year, preventable fire injuries and deaths are caused by children “playing” with fire. Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight and teach fire safety from a young age.  

4. Practice safe cooking. 

The Red Cross cites cooking fires as the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Remember to stay in the kitchen and be vigilant when cooking. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove, such as oven mitts, towels, curtains, etc. 

Remember to clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup. Know what to do in the event of a kitchen fire. 

5. Be cautious of electrical equipment. 

Always plug appliances directly into wall outlets and remember that extension cords are for short-term use. Keep power cords away from doorways and on top of carpets to avoid tripping. Ensure that all electrical work is completed by a certified electrician. 

More fire safety tips:

• NFPA Home Fire Safety page 
• American Red Cross Home Fire Safety page 
• U.S. Fire Administration Home Fires page