This month
September is National Preparedness Month
A little planning now makes emergencies easier to handle.
- Build an emergency kit with water, food, medicines and flashlights.
- Make a family communication plan.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts.
Protect your home
Fire Safety
Seasonal safety tips from Station #1, updated automatically for the time of year and today's weather.
Right now
Safety for today's conditions
This season
September safety
Prevent grass and brush fires
Dry grass catches fire easily and spreads fast in the wind.
- Keep a hose or water and a shovel ready whenever you burn.
- Clear dry grass and brush from around your home.
- Never park vehicles on dry grass. Hot exhaust can start a fire.
Grill safely
Grills should only ever be used outdoors.
- Keep the grill well away from the house, deck railings and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the grill.
- Check propane hoses for leaks with soapy water before the first use of the season.
- Never leave a lit grill unattended.
Backyard fire pits
Township rules keep recreational fires safe.
- Keep the fire ring no more than 3 feet across and 2 feet high.
- Keep it at least 25 feet from buildings, fences, woodpiles and roads.
- Burn only dry wood, and never leave the fire unattended.
- Drown and stir the ashes until they are cold.
All year
Every home, every day
Smoke alarms save lives
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.
- Put a smoke alarm inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level.
- Test every alarm once a month with the test button.
- Replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older. The date is on the back.
- Never pull the battery to stop a nuisance alarm. Open a window or fan the air instead.
Make a home escape plan
A fire can make a home impossible to escape in just a few minutes.
- Know two ways out of every room.
- Pick a meeting place outside, in front of your home.
- Practice your plan with everyone in the home twice a year.
- Get out, stay out, and call 911 from outside.
Close before you doze
A closed bedroom door can hold back heat and smoke while you escape or wait for help.
- Sleep with bedroom doors closed.
- If you must stay in a room during a fire, close the door and put a towel along the bottom.
- Call 911 and tell them exactly where you are.
Help us find you
Every second counts when we are looking for your home.
- Make sure your house number is easy to see from the road, day and night.
- Know your address and nearest cross street.
- Stay on the line with the 911 dispatcher until told to hang up.
- Turn on an outside light when you are expecting emergency help.
Stay in the kitchen
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling.
- Keep towels, oven mitts and wrappers away from the stovetop.
- If a pan catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner. Never use water on a grease fire.
- Keep a lid nearby whenever you cook.
Clean the dryer lint
Lint build-up is a common cause of dryer fires.
- Clean the lint filter before or after every load.
- Have the dryer vent cleaned out regularly.
- Do not run the dryer when you are asleep or away from home.
Use cords and outlets safely
Overloaded outlets and damaged cords start fires.
- Use extension cords only temporarily.
- Never run cords under rugs or furniture.
- Plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet.
- Replace any cord that is cracked, frayed or warm to the touch.
Charge lithium-ion batteries safely
Phones, e-bikes, scooters and tools can catch fire while charging.
- Use the charger that came with the device.
- Charge on a hard surface, never on a bed or couch.
- Stop using a battery that is hot, swollen, leaking or smells odd.
- Do not charge e-bikes or scooters in the way of your exit.
Recalls
Fire-hazard product recalls
Recent recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for products that can overheat, catch fire or cause burns. If you own one, stop using it and follow the recall instructions.
Kühl® Q and Kühl® S Window Air Conditioners
The control board inside the motor of the recalled air conditioners can fail, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.
Infrared Saunas, Hybrid Infrared Saunas and Infrared Kits
The infrared panels in the saunas and kits can short circuit, causing them to overheat, posing a risk of serious injury from fire and burn hazards.
BedsPick Mattresses
The mattresses violate the mandatory flammability standard for mattresses, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire.
JKMAX Heated Blankets and Heating Pads
The internal wire heating elements of the blankets and pads can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Sweet Cubby Children’s Loungewear Sets
The recalled children’s loungewear sets violate the mandatory flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a risk of serious burn injuries or death.
DHASUWT Hair Dryer and Blow Dryer Brushes
The recalled hair dryer brushes lack an integrated immersion protection device, which presents a substantial product hazard to consumers, posing the risk of death or serious…
AGA Elise and Mercury Series Freestanding Dual Fuel Ranges and La Cornue CornuFé 90 and…
Dual Fuel Ranges with a missing cap from the gas test port can cause a gas leak, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire or explosion hazards.
Wantefully Hair Dryer Brushes
The recalled hair dryer brushes are in violation of federal regulations for hair dryers as they lack an integrated immersion protection device, which presents a substantial…
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, updated automatically. All recalls · Report an unsafe product
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