Be Fire Safe PA
The Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) provides important year-round and seasonal fire prevention information to help Pennsylvanians stay safe and healthy.
Explore the below information to Be Fire Safe PA!
Summer Fire Safety
With the arrival of summer and warmer temperatures, the Office of State Fire Commissioner is offering Pennsylvanians seasonal fire safety tips.
Be Safe Inside Your Home
- Test your home's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Discontinue the use of any electrical appliances with frayed cords, and make sure they are not extended under rugs or other flammable materials.
- Water often leaks into homes during the winter months; it is a good idea to check for water around electrical appliances as well.
- Take a moment to inspect the lint trap and exhaust duct of the clothes dryer for debris.
Be Safe Outside Your Home
- Remove dead leaves and other flammable debris from around foundations and from under decks, porches or stairs.
- Outdoor work areas such as garages and tool sheds should be kept organized, and flammable materials should be stored in fire-rated containers away from children
- Grills should be checked for rust, insects, spiders, grease and other debris before use.
- Worn gas hoses should be replaced.
- Never grill indoors, in a garage, breezeway or carport. Grills should only be used 10 feet away from your house or any building.
Have a Plan and Practice It
Do you know what to do in the event your home catches fire? Does your family? This knowledge is critical to ensure everyone’s safety. From the moment a smoke alarm sounds, you and your loved ones may have just two minutes to respond.
Take the time to develop an evacuation plan. Families should have a designated meeting place a safe distance from their home, for instance, a mailbox. Everyone should be able to identify to points of escape from each room in the house. It’s also a good idea to practice your emergency plan under challenging conditions, like when its dark.
Make sure the kids understand how and when to dial 9-1-1. They should also know their home’s physical address. Teach them the stop, drop, and roll method for extinguishing fire, and when practicing your escape plan, teach them to crawl to avoid smoke.
Don’t forget about older adults. These individuals often have unique health challenges or mobility issues that make evacuation burdensome. Home fire fatalities disproportionately affect older adults.
Check the Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers
Working smoke alarms save lives. That's why it's important to test your smoke alarms once a month. Replace batteries when needed, and replace your smoke alarms when they've been in use for ten years.
If you have fire extinguishers in your home, they should be routinely checked to make sure they’re fully charged, and within their expiration dates.
Additional Summer Fire Safety Resources
For more information, visit these websites and resources: