INJURY | PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER | PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY | INJURIES

Fire safety is an important thing for all families to talk about and practice. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 2,500 people are killed and 13,000 are wounded every year from fires. They also cause more than $5 billion in property damage.

Injuries and deaths during home fires can be prevented by installing smoke alarms on every level of the house, both inside and outside bedrooms. Talk to your children about listening for smoke alarms, and then what to do if they hear them. Also, make sure to keep fire extinguishers accessible at all times, and teach older children how to operate them.

Have an escape plan that all of you have practiced. Talk about alternative exit plans, such as through low windows or back doors. Also, talk about alerting people in the home who might not have heard the alarm, such as grandparents.

Prevent fires by checking for any possible fire hazards in your home. Make sure candles are lit away from flammable materials, and check appliances and water heaters for malfunctions. Also, make sure there are no flammable materials stored near heat-producing sources.

You can prevent wildfires and forest fires by using campstoves instead of campfires. If you do build a campfire, build it in a small, well-contained pit, away from grasses, plants, trees, and low-hanging branches. Also, do not build fires in windy days, when sparks may be carried away.