fire@williamsburgva.gov
Phone: 220-6220
Emergency: 911
Protecting Your Home from Fire Hazards
3 STEPS TO A FIRE SAFE HOME!- BE AWARE OF THE COMMON CAUSES OF HOME FIRES.
- INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY AND CHECK FOR HOME HOT SPOTS.
- KNOW HOW TO CORRECT HOME FIRE HAZARDS QUICKLY AND SAFELY.
Never overload your homes electrical system. All large appliances should have their own circuits.
Signs of overloaded wiring include:
- Frequently blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
- Slow heating appliances.
- Shrinking television picture.
- Never replace a blown fuse with a fuse that is too large for that circuit. Never substitute a penny for a fuse.
- If you suspect your homes wiring is overloaded, have it checked by a licensed electrician immediately.
- Always unplug appliances after use.
- Never wrap a cord around a warm appliance.
- Don't block air circulation.
- Never leave an electrical appliance near water.
- If an appliance gets wet, have it serviced before using it again.
- Replace broken plugs and frayed or worn cords immediately.
- Only plug one appliance into an outlet or extension cord.
Home heating systems cause many fire related deaths each year. Being aware of some of the problems that heating systems can cause can help to decrease the occurrence of these fires.
Gas Heaters
- Examine the gas line for punctures or splits.
- Check the connectors and valves for leaks.
- Inspect monthly during the year and weekly during the winter.
- Make sure your homes wiring is sufficient to handle the heater's needs.
- Frequently check wires and fuses for damage and repair immediately.
- Never use the heater near a source of water.
- Use only water clear, grade A-1 kerosene.
- Never use gasoline, camp stove fuel or yellow kerosene.
- Always keep all combustible materials at least three feet away from space heaters.
- Only use if legal in your area.
- Top the chimney with a spark guard.
- Always use a screen large enough to cover the opening.
- When in use, keep the damper open.
- Never burn green wood, paper or trash, they cause heavy creosote build-up.
- Inspect and clean regularly.
Your Home and its Surroundings
- Avoid cluttering the attic or basement. Make sure there is air circulation.
- Store flammable liquids in tightly sealed, properly labeled metal containers away from heat sources.
- Clear pine needles and leaves from the roof and gutters. Trim tree limbs within ten feet or your house and remove dead limbs.
- Never keep trash near your home.
- Never smoke in bed. Keep smoking materials away from the bed area.
- Check living areas for smoldering cigarettes.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Don't overheat grease and be alert for overflows.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Always turn pot handles toward the center of the stove.
- Don't leave towels, napkins, or pot holders near the stove.
- Keep your stove and oven clean.
- Install smoke detectors throughout your home and test them at least once a month.
- Keep multipurpose ABC fire extinguishers serviced and ready to use. Know how to operate them properly.
- Keep emergency numbers clearly posted near the telephone, and learn the correct procedure to report a fire.
- Make sure every family member knows how to escape from the house by crawling low in smoke. Hold regular fire drills.
- Designate two exits from each room and a meeting place outside the home.
- If a fire breaks out and you can't control it, get out fast and call the fire department from a neighbors home.
- NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING!