SMOKE ALARMS
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a house
fire.
Nearly half of the residential fires and three-fifths of residential deaths occur in homes with no
smoke detector/alarms.
Life saving tips:
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Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Develop and practice a Fire Escape Plan for the whole family.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
Change the batteries in all types of detector/alarms at least once a year – perhaps when you
change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
Do not remove the batteries to put in other appliances such as personal stereos or games.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily,
use a broom handle.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do – leave the building
immediately by crawling low under the smoke – when they hear it sound. DO NOT RE-ENTER
the building!
If cooking sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the range fan, open a window or wave a
towel near the detector to dissipate the smoke. Correct the problem that is causing the smoke.
Smoke detectors/alarms wear out over time. Replace yours if it is 10 years old or more. The
preventable loss of a loved one can be much more costly than the price of a smoke detector or
battery.
BEDROOM FIRES
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
The bedroom is the most common room in the house where electrical fires start.
Deaths due to bedroom fires are preventable.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a house
fire.
Life saving tips:

Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
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means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Develop and practice a Fire Escape Plan for the whole family.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
NEVER smoke in bed.
Replace mattresses made prior to the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard.
Keep lighters, matches, and other ignitables secured out of the reach of children. Children are
one of the highest risk groups for death in residential fires.
Do not run electrical cords under your bed, carpets/rugs or trap them against a wall where heat
can build up. Avoid using extension cords. If you must use an extension cord make sure it is
properly sized and not overloaded.
Consider installing ARC FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTION circuit breakers to protect against
electrical conditions that could lead to a fire. AFCI’s will trip the circuit if it detects an arc (short)
condition that could lead to fire.
Avoid using candles. If you must use candles make sure they are in candle rated containers and
kept away from bedding, curtains, papers and anything else that can ignite easily.
Take extra care when utilizing portable heaters. Keep bedding, clothes, curtains and other
flammable items at least three feet away from space heaters.
Use only Laboratory tested/approved electric blankets/warmers and use only according to
manufacturers directions.
Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two escape routes from their bedroom and
practice them often. Windows are usually one route. Make sure the windows operate easily and
the occupant of the room is able to open them. An easily accessed ladder may be necessary for
bedrooms of two-story homes.
In case of fire, stay low to the floor beneath the smoke, and have an escape plan already worked
out. Get out, stay out.
COOKING FIRES
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of fire injuries.
Deaths due to fires caused by cooking are preventable.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Life saving tips:






Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Develop and practice a Fire Escape Plan for the whole family.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
Never leave cooking operations unattended. Cooking fires can start in seconds.
Always wear short or close fitting sleeves when cooking.
Keep towels, potholders and curtains away from flames and heating elements.
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Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.
Never throw water on a grease fire. If a fire occurs while cooking, put a lid on the pan to smother
the fire and turn off the burner.
If a fire occurs in the oven, DO NOT open the door and DO turn off the oven.
Heat oil gradually to avoid spattering which could lead to a stovetop fire and burns.
Before leaving the kitchen area, make sure all heat sources are off; this includes the stove and
oven, slo-cookers, electric fry pans, etc.
FOR THOSE WHO SMOKE
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths.
Deaths due to fires caused by careless smoking are preventable.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Life saving tips:
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




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Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
NEVER smoke in bed. Replace mattresses made prior to the 1973 Federal Mattress
Flammability Standard.
Do Not put ashtrays on the arms of sofas or chairs.
Use deep ashtrays and soak ashes in water before disposal.
Do Not leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended. Extinguish all smoking materials before you
walk away.
If you begin to feel drowsy while watching television or reading, extinguish your cigarette, cigar or
pipe.
Develop and practice a Fire Escape Plan for the whole family.
CHILDREN AND FIRE
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Each year about 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed in fire attributed
to children playing with fire.
Deaths due to fires caused by children playing with fire are preventable.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Life saving tips:
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
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




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Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
Keep matches, lighters and other ignitables in a secured in a drawer or cabinet out of the reach
of children.
Teach your children to tell you immediately when they find matches or lighters.
Insure that your child’s sleepwear meets Federal Flammability Standards.
Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another
location.
Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay
out.
Develop a home Fire Escape Plan and designate a meeting place outside. Get out, Stay out!
Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm.
Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence that your child may be playing with
fire.
For more fire safety information for young children visit www.usfparents.gov.
FIRE ESCAPE PLANNING:
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Senior citizens and children under the age of five are at the greatest risk of death from fire.
Deaths due to an inability to escape fire are preventable.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Life saving tips:









Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
Make sure ALL family members and guests know what your smoke detector sounds like.
There should always be 2 ways out of sleeping rooms. Make sure the windows operate easily
and the occupant of the room is able to open them. An easily accessed ladder may be necessary
for bedrooms of two-story homes.
Practice, Practice, Practice finding your way out of your house with your eyes closed, crawling,
staying low and feeling your way out to safety.
Never open doors that are hot to the touch.
Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance.
Remember to escape first, then notify the Fire Department.
Dial 911 for emergencies in SOUTHGATE.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Electrical fires in homes claim the lives of 700 Americans each year and injure 3,000 more.
Some electrical fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects. However,
many more are caused by misuse, poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed
wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
Regularly inspect extension cords for fraying and exposed wires.
NEVER use extension cords as permanent wiring. If necessary use an Underwriters Laboratory,
UL–approved cord with built in circuit protection.
Never overload outlets or extension cords
ALWAYS suspect light switches and receptacles that cause flickering lights, that are warm/hot to
the touch OR that have suddenly stopped operating properly. These items should be repaired
ONLY by a qualified electrician.
Immediately repair or replace appliances or lamps that spark.
Keep electrical appliances away from wet/damp areas, especially in the kitchen, bathroom,
basement and garage.
If an appliance has a three-prong plug, never force it into a two-slot receptacle or extension cord.
Electrocution may result.
Always maintain a safe clearance around electrical appliances that produce heat such as light
bulbs, coffee pots, slow cookers, toaster ovens, space heaters, clothes irons, curling irons, and
clothes dryers.
WINTER FIRES
Did you know?
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Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Home fire incidents increase during the winter months because people tend to spend more time
indoors which increases the use of lighting and heating appliances.
Fires during the winter months ARE PREVENTABLE.
Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.
Develop and practice a Fire Escape Plan for the whole family.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
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Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, away from combustible surfaces and items, have
the proper floor support and adequate ventilation. The City of Southgate Building Department
can provide information and applicable building codes that apply to the SAFE installation of
woodstoves and fireplaces.
NEVER use flammable liquids (such as gasoline or charcoal starter) to start a fire in your
woodstove or fireplace.
Use glass doors or a metal screen in front of your fireplace to keep sparks from igniting nearby
carpets or furniture.
Dispose of hot ashes in covered metal containers stored away from the house.
Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
Creosote and tar buildup is a common cause of chimney fires.
DO NOT tie woodstove chimneys together with chimneys serving natural gas fired equipment,
such as furnaces and water heaters.
Make sure your space heaters have an emergency shut off in case they are bumped and
knocked over.
Kerosene heaters are not permitted in many areas and have the potential of depleting the
surrounding area of oxygen and generating DEADLY carbon monoxide. Use only Fuel
Recommended By The Manufacturer.
Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow-torch or other open flame. Use hot water or an Underwriters
Laboratories Listed device such as a hand held dryer.
Never use a gas fired range or oven to heat the home. The dangers of open flames coming in
contact with combustibles and the production of CARBON MONOXIDE could be deadly.
If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of snow for easy access.
ALTERNATIVE HEATER SAFETY
Did you know?
 Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
 Heating is the second leading cause of residential fire and is tied with arson as the second leading
cause of fire deaths.
 Deaths due to fire caused by alternative heat sources are preventable.
 Having a working smoke detector/alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.
Life saving tips:

Install a smoke detector/alarm on every level of your home, at least one in every hallway serving
bedrooms and inside of all bedrooms. Whenever possible use smoke detector/alarms that use
the home’s electricity with battery backup, and that will activate ALL alarms in the home. This
means, if one detector/alarm sounds, they ALL sound providing precious extra seconds to
escape.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. Carbon Monoxide is a DEADLY, colorless, odorless gas
caused by incomplete combustion usually caused by faulty appliances such as furnaces, water
heaters, gas fired clothes dryers, kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and other open flame devices.
When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the heat
source or fuel if the heater falls or is knocked over.
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Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
Kerosene heaters are not permitted in many areas and have the potential of depleting the
surrounding area of oxygen and generating DEADLY carbon monoxide. Use only Fuel
Recommended By The Manufacturer.
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Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
Space heaters need space. Keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater.
For wood stove fuel use only seasoned wood, not green wood, construction lumber, artificial
logs or trash and papers.