10/07/2026
Six Fire Safety Habits for Your Home
House fires start in an instant, and the leading causes are ordinary household things: cooking, heating equipment and electrical problems. Fire Prevention Week falls in October, which makes this a good time to run through the basics.
Schedule an annual chimney cleaning. Creosote, the condensed smoke that coats a flue, is flammable and builds up over time. A yearly cleaning by a certified professional clears it out and gives someone the chance to spot damage before you light the first fire of the season.
Keep flammable items away from heat sources. Furniture, bedding, curtains and laundry should sit at least three feet from anything that generates heat, including the furnace, space heaters and fireplaces. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room.
Learn what to do about a grease fire. Water makes it worse. Smother the flames with a lid or a baking sheet and turn off the heat, and never try to carry a burning pan to the sink.
Cook with your full attention. Stay in the kitchen when you're frying or broiling, and stay in the house when something is baking or simmering. Keep pot holders and dish towels clear of the burner, and turn appliances off the moment you're done.
Give candles and decorations a second look. Check light strings for frayed or exposed wiring before they go up, and throw out any that are damaged. Keep candles away from fabric and out of reach of kids and pets, and blow them out before you leave the room.
Know when to stop fighting a fire. An extinguisher is for something small and contained. If the flames are spreading, if the room is filling with smoke, or if you're not sure, get everyone out and call 911 from outside.
