Neighbors,
The 2018 fire prevention week theme is, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” So look for places fire can start. Take a good look around your home. Gather evidence of fire dangers and address the problems. Here are some common places to start:
The kitchen:
- Anything that can catch fire is kept away from the stovetop. Oven mitts, boxes, paper products, etc.
- Pets are kept o‑ cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto burners.
- Any food being cooked is being watched closely by someone in the home.
Heaters:
- Anything that can burn is kept at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. Furniture, blankets, newspapers, magazines, etc.
- Heating equipment and chimneys are cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Portable heaters are turned o‑ when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Proper fuel is used in fuel-burning space heaters.
- The fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying around the room.
- A covered metal container is ready for use to dispose of cooled ashes.
Electricity:
- All electrical work is done by a qualified electrician.
- Only one heat-producing appliance is plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time. Extension cords are not used.
- Electrical cords are checked to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets.
- Light fixtures use light bulbs that have the correct number of watts.
Download a copy of the Fire Safety Checklist at https://lamaderafire.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Home-Checklist.pdf
Joe Gober / District Chief
La Madera