NFPA offers the following tips on 10 things people can do to be fire-safe at home:

· Watch your cooking

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

· Give space heaters space

Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

· Smoke outside

Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.

· Keep matches and lighters out of reach

Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.

· Inspect electrical cords

Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.

· Be careful when using candles

Keep candles at least 1 foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.

· Have a home fire escape plan

Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

· Install smoke alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

· Test smoke alarms

Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

· Install sprinklers

If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.