Appliance Fire Safety

Life-Saving Tips

•   Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms.  If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm in each bedroom.

•   Regularly inspect your extension cords for fraying and never use an extension cord as permanent wiring.

•   Instead of a simple extension cord, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers.

•   Routinely check your wiring.  Look for outlets that don't work, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

•   Never overload outlets or extension cords.

•   Immediately repair appliances or lamps that sputter or spark.

•   Keep appliances away from wet areas, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, basement and garage.

•   If an appliance has a three-prong plug, never force it into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

•   Don't let children play near electrical space heaters.  Keep clothes, curtains and other flammable items at least three feet away from heaters.

•   Prepare and practice a home fire escape plan.

•   In case of fire, crawl or stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke.