Smoking is one of the leading causes of fire in the United States. Never smoke in bed or when you are tired. Be sure to put cigarettes out in ashtrays and do not empty the receptacles until they are cold. Check for smoldering cigarettes.

Keep matches and lighters away from children. Do not leave them laying around. Start early to teach children that when they find a lighter or matches they should give them to an adult. Preferably only use child-proof lighters.

Never leave cooking utensils with the handles pointed outward from the stove. Children can accidently tip the pot of boiling water on themselves and be scalded.

Keep towels, napkins and other flammable material away from the stove top. If there is a grease fire, carefully place the lid on the pot. DO NOT USE FLOUR ON A GREASE FIRE. Turn off the burner.

Never use metal or foil in a microwave. Be careful of staples in cardboard containers when using a microwave. Only use it to cook. Do not use it as a dryer for clothing or anything else.

Never leave the house with anything cooking, even the coffee pot. Turn off all appliances before leaving. Do not store flammable material such as Tupperware in the oven or broiler. Clean the broiler immediately after using it.

Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture or anything else that can burn. Always turn off the heater when leaving the house or going to bed. Keep pets away from space heaters. Do not use the stove or oven as a space heater. This depletes the oxygen in the house and replaces it with Carbon Monoxide.

If an appliance smokes or smells like it is burning, unplug it and have it repaired. If there is an arc in an outlet, call 911. Do not use extension cords to power appliances. When extension cords are needed, use the proper size for the item being powered and the location. An example is an outdoor 16 gauge 3 wire cord for hedge trimmers.

Do not over fuse a circuit. If the circuit breaker continually opens, call an electrician to find the short in the circuit. Do not use pennys, copper pipe, or any other foreign conductor in a fuse box. If an electric cord is cracked or frayed, replace it.

If someone gets burned, put the would in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor. Check the hot water heater. It should not be set above 120 degrees if there are small children in the house. ALWAYS CHECK THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER BEFORE LETTING CHILDREN GET INTO THE TUB.

If there is a fire and you need to exit the home. Have an escape plan. Practice it. Have a meeting place outside. Count noses. No Nose Goes Back IN. Call 911. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low to get the best air and avoid the hottest air. If you are trapped in a high-rise building, call 911, stay on the line and tell them where you are. The firefighters will come and get you.

If your clothing catches fire, DO NOT RUN! STOP! DROP! AND ROLL!. This action will put the flames out and minimize the burns. Do not cook with loose or baggy night clothing on. This is a major source of burns. Do not let children cook unsupervised.

Have a working Underwriter's Labeled smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in you home. There should be one on each level where there are sleeping areas. Follow manufacturer's instructions. Carbon Monoxide Detectors manufactured after October 1995 have been designed to minimize false the alarms that plagued the earlier models. Do not warm your car in an attached garage. The Carbon Monoxide will filter into the house endangering the occupants and setting off carbon monoxide detectors.

Flammable liquids should be stored outside in a detached building (garage) in proper containers. Never use flammable liquids around heating appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, cigarettes or open flame. Be very sure how you use flammable liquids on automotive engines. Refuel only in well ventilated areas, preferably outside and do not refuel while the motor is hot..

Check your furnace and fireplace once each year. Change the filter once each month. Do not place fireplace ash in anything other than a metal container and keep it outside away from building. The same is true for barbecue grills. Keep a metal screen over the fireplace opening. Store combustible material well (4 feet or more) away from the furnace, hot water heater, space heater or fireplace.

Watch your newspaper for announcements of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Household Hazardous Waste drop off dates and places. There are sites chosen each year around the county. Dispose of hazardous materials properly and not in the trash or sewer. As always, keep hazardous materials out of reach and sight of children.

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Last Updated: 25 December 2000