The best way to fight a fire is to prevent one in the first place. Here are some things to keep in mind while you think about fire safety...

• Keep a smoke alarm at every level of your home. Make sure to install one in each bedroom as well as outside the sleeping area. Alarms with flashing strobe lights and vibration are available for the hearing impaired. Alarms are also available in both battery-operated and electrically hardwired. Prices will vary depending on which you choose.
• Test your smoke alarms regularly. Once a month is a good rule. Remember to replace the batteries once a year. This goes for the hardwired variety as well.
• Try testing your alarms at night. You want to make sure everyone can hear them. Young children sleep more deeply then adults, so they may not hear the alarm. Find an alarm where you can program your voice. This can help children wake up faster.
• Be sure to mount your alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall since smoke rises. You should replace your alarms every ten years.

You should be sure to have a plan in place to avoid confusion in an emergency...

• Try several escape routes and designate a safe place to meet outside.
• It's a good idea to plan two escape routes from each room. This is in case one route is blocked by fire.
• Choose someone to help young children or people with mobility problems should a fire occur.
• Be sure you know where to meet. Do not call 911 until you are safely out of the house. If you don't have your cell phone use your neighbor's phone. Do not go back inside for any reason.

What you want the children to know...

• Have regular fire drills. Try for at least twice a year.
• Under no circumstances should they return to a burning building.
• Keep matches, candles, and gasoline out of the reach of your child.
• Teach them to: Stop, drop and roll in the event that their clothes catch fire.
• Take your children on a tour of your local fire station. Ask a firefighter to dress in full gear and explain how he or she keeps children safe when there is a fire.

The many common hazards in your home...

• Never leave your kitchen while you are cooking. Never leave children unattended in the kitchen.
• Never leave anything that can catch fire on the stove top.
• Be sure to turn pot and pan handles inward to avoid them falling over.
• Make sure you store all flammable liquid outside your home.
• Space heaters should be kept at least 3 ft. from anything that may catch fire.
• Always turn space heaters off while not in use.
• Keep all candles away from flammable items. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• It is a good idea to clean and inspect your chimney once a year.

Fire prevention is important. If you follow these guidelines you can help prevent a fire and be ready in case one occurs.