Fire Saftey

According to Ready.gov, a fire can go from a hazard to life-threatening in a matter of minutes. If a fire starts while you’re asleep, you need to get out fast.

A full quarter of home fire deaths are caused by fires that started in the bedroom, according to the National Fire Protection Association:

Here’s how to fireproof your bedroom:

1. Practice fire drills.
   Despite there being over a million residential fires each year, only a third of American households have a fire escape plan. Schedule a twice-yearly fire drill, and make one of those at night. This way you and your family are truly prepared. 
   
   With a fire, every second counts, so practice your escape plan quickly. In case smoke makes it dark, practice with your eyes closed or a bandana over your head to see if you can feel your way out.
   
   If a fire starts outside your bedroom, practice crawling low to the ground toward the door. Practice touching the door knob before opening it. If it’s hot to touch, go to your other route and practice unrolling your safety escape ladders. Confirm that you can easily open your bedroom window.
   
   Practice the stop, drop, and roll in case you catch on fire.
2. Regularly maintain smoke alarms.
   Keep a smoke alarm in every room of your house, including your bedroom. Smoke alarms reduce your risk of dying by fire by half.
   
   Choose smoke alarms with sealed-in 10-year lithium battery. If your house is currently using hard-wire smoke alarms, replace them with battery-powered models or install battery-powered models as backups.
   
   Each month, test the alarm and clear it of dust. Every year, replace the batteries. Every 10 years, replace the smoke alarm unit.
   
   Get a separate carbon monoxide alarm and place one outside your bedroom so you’ll wake up if it starts to beep.
3. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
   Most people keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for kitchen fires, but that’s not helpful if a fire occurs upstairs or in their bedroom.
   
   Keep a fire extinguisher in your bedroom or closeby. Buy a fire extinguisher with an ABC rating. This means they are able to extinguish fires caused by the widest variety of items, flammable liquids, and electronic equipment.
   
   Every year, confirm that the gauge reads 100% full, and replace it if not. Train yourself on how to use a fire extinguisher and rehearse the motions during your fire escape plan (but don’t actually squeeze it).
4. Remove obvious fire hazards.
   Do not light candles in your bedroom. Avoid using space heaters in the bedroom. Never smoke in your bedroom.
   
   If you have a rug in your bedroom, avoid running electrical cords under it. Regularly check that all of the electronics in your bedroom are not showing frays or damage to the wires, and if so, replace them immediately.
   
   If you live in an older home, hire a professional to come take a look at your wiring and replace anything that’s old.