Fire Services FAQ
- Get out and stay out. Leave your home immediately, closing doors behind you to slow the spread of the fire.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number from a safe location.
- Do not go back inside for any reason.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually.
- Keep flammable items at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
- Never leave cooking unattended and keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Check if there is a fire. If you see or smell smoke, follow your escape plan and call 911.
- If it is a false alarm, clear the area of smoke and dust. Reset the alarm if necessary.
- Regularly maintain your smoke alarms to reduce false alarms.
- Fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly to ensure they are fully charged and in good working condition.
- Professional servicing should be done annually, and extinguishers should be replaced or recharged after any use.
- A smoke detector senses smoke and sounds an alarm, alerting occupants to the presence of a potential fire.
- A fire alarm system includes smoke detectors and other devices like heat detectors, manual pull stations, and notification devices (horns, strobes) to alert occupants and, in many cases, automatically notify the fire department.
- Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows.
- Plan two ways out of every room, if possible.
- Make sure windows and doors can be easily opened.
- Establish a meeting place outside, a safe distance from your home.
- Practice your escape plan twice a year with all household members.
