 | Prevention of Dryer Fires
 | Clean lint filter regularly and make sure the dryer is operating properly. |
| Clean filter after each load of clothes. |
| Check outside exhaust to make sure exhaust air is escaping normally. If not look
inside both ends of the duct and remove any lint. Any signs that the dryer is hotter than
normal may be a sign that the dryer's temperature control thermostat needs servicing. |
| Check exhaust duct more often if you have a plastic, flexible duct. This type is
more apt to trap lint. |
| Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for new installations. Most should
specify the use of metal exhaust ducts. |
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| How to prevent Fire Hazards
| Don't let rubbish pile up, dispose of it regularly |
| Keep newspapers and magazines in neat piles and dispose of them regularly |
| Keep anything that will burn away from furnaces or stoves |
| Don't store flammable objects under wooden stairs |
| Have heating system checked yearly by a professional. |
| Check chimney for loose bricks and cracks |
| Check stove pipes on wood burning stoves regularly |
| Always use a fireplace screen |
| Don't store items in front of furnace or gas meter. |
| Place gas line marker on curb in late fall before snow arrives |
| Make sure smoke detectors are working |
| Place tot finder decals on your child's bedroom window so firemen can locate
them. |
| Keep fire hydrants clear of snow, ice or weeds. |
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| Smoke detectors and preparation
| Place smoke detectors on ceilings because smoke and heat tend to rise and spread
along the ceiling |
| Install in immediate area of bedrooms, at least one on each floor of the house
and on the ceiling above the bottom step of the stairway going upstairs from the basement.
 | Homes with one sleeping area -- place detector in hallway outside of bedrooms |
| Homes with two sleeping areas -- require two detectors outside each sleeping area |
| Homes with multi-levels -- locate detectors outside sleeping areas and at every
finished level of the home. |
|
| Where not to locate detectors
| Keep away from air supply registers. Clean face and grillwork of detector to
remove dust and grease, blow dust out through grill work. |
| Kitchens: smoke from cooking can cause a nuisance alarm |
| Bathrooms: excessive steam my cause a nuisance alarm |
| Near furnaces: air and dust movement and normal combustion products may cause a
nuisance alarm |
| Peak of an "A" frame type of ceiling; dead air at top may prevent smoke
from reaching detector |
|
| Test detectors monthly. Change batteries on a regular basis |
| Know at least two ways out of your house |
| Consult with your children when planning exit drills in your home |
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| Winter fire safety in the home
| Wood stoves should be UL listed |
| Stove or fireplace should be properly installed by a qualified professional.
Stoves should have adequate clearance from all combustible surfaces, along with adequate
floor support and protection |
| Chimney should be inspected yearly and cleaned as necessary |
| Never use flammable or combustible liquids to start or accelerate a fire |
| Keep a metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks and
embers from jumping out on to the floor surface and don't burn large amounts of paper in
the fireplace a roaring fire can ignite creosote in the chimney. |
| Be sure the fireplace fire is out before retiring for the evening and don't close
the damper if there are hot ashes in the fireplace |
| Don't burn charcoal indoors, it gives off large amounts of carbon monoxide |
| Don't place ashes in combustible containers and store the correct container
outdoors away from any weeds or structures |
| Be sure your furnace is in good operating condition and that its flute is not
clogged or loose. |
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| Tot finder
| Tot finder stickers allow firefighters to spot children's rooms quickly and
should be placed in the window of all children's bedrooms |
| Tot finder stickers can be obtained at the firehouse at 300 Eagle Rock Avenue in
Roseland |
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| Know
what to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off
| Carbon monoxide) is a gas that is undetectable by human senses
yet it can cause health problems, brain damage, and even death. It is a product of
incomplete combustion. It is invisible, odorless and deadly. When
concentrations of the gas build up, flu-like symptoms may develop, especially among
younger and older members who are less tolerant of this poison. |
| If your carbon monoxide alarm activates:
| Gather all family members together in a preset meeting place and check to be sure
everyone is present |
| Do not reenter until responders say it is safe to do so |
| PSE& G will be notified and they will respond. They will measure the
level of CO within your house and attempt to identify the problem and advise you if it is
safe to reoccupy your home |
| If you have an automatic CO alarm system, the Police will attempt to contact you
initially. If no one replies, a determination will be made if it is in your best
interest to make entry into your home. If you plan on leaving for extended periods
for business or vacation you may want to check with your alarm company to see if the CO
detectors may be taken off the system. |
| Call 911 and leave the building immediately |
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Click on the items below for more information