Prevention
Avoid Electrical Overloading
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Power strips often fail. A power strip can only bear a limited amount of electricity without becoming overwhelmed. Never plug one power strip into another. Don't try to hide power strips behind curtains, under rugs, or carpets. Sparks can fly when overloading and cause an electrical fire very quickly.
Read the Manufacturers information included in the packaging about how much total electrical load your power strip can safely carry.
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical receptacles (outlets) or worn sockets that are not properly grounded.
As outlets and switches get older, the wiring behind them wears as well, and over time loosens and could potentially break and cause a fire.
Fireproof Your Kitchen
Check Electrical Connections for Faulty Wiring
Never leave a gas stove unattended, even for a minute. Just turn it off until you can attend to it again.
Don't lean over open flames when wearing loose clothing and keep objects like potholders and towels away from your cooking area.
Turn Off Gas Tanks When Not in Use
Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.
Keep Your Light Sources Secured
Keep candles and kerosene lamps away from things that can catch fire easily and make sure they can't tip over easily.
Remove Common Fire Hazards
A gutter full of leaves or a pile of leaves in your front yard may seem harmless, but extreme heat and drought can turn them into a bonfire.
Install Smoke Alarms
Get a Fire Extinguisher
Get a Fire Extinguisher
Install smoke detectors in every room of your house. A good rule to remember is to change the batteries when you change your clocks.
Get a Fire Extinguisher
Get a Fire Extinguisher
Get a Fire Extinguisher
A gutter full of leaves or a pile of leaves in your front yard may seem harmless, but extreme heat and drought can turn them into a bonfire. See instructions below.
Fire Extinguishers
When operating a fire extinguisher, remember the word “PASS".
P = Pull the pin out of the handle
A = Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
S = Squeeze the handle with one hand
S = Sweep the nozzle side to side and from front to back until the fire is out
Fire extinguishers can help in the early stages of a fire if you are in a safe location and know what to do. Fire extinguisher guidelines are found under 29 CFR 1910.15 and NFPA Code 10 – Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. Fires are classified under five different categories according to what is burning and there are specific fire extinguishers for each class:
- Class A stands for ordinary materials like cloth, wood, or paper. (Items that turn to “ash”)
- Class B stands for flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints. (Things that may “boil”)
- Class C stands for electrical like appliances, tools, or equipment that is plugged into an outlet. (Anything that has “current” in it)
- Class D stands for flammable metals such as lithium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium; these fires produce “dazzling” bright white sparks
- Class K stands for Vegetable oils, animal oils, and fats used for cooking.
- There are also multipurpose fire extinguishers that might be labeled "B-C" or "A-B-C" that can be used on most types of home fires. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose fire extinguishers that cover Class A through Class C.
It’s also important to note that fire extinguishers are required to be inspected and maintained. OSHA requires a monthly visual check and an annual maintenance check to help ensure they are operational and in good working order, plus hydrostatic testing every 5 to 12 years depending on the type of extinguisher.