Home Safety

pot of boiling water on stove top

Reduce fire risks for your family and learn about common fire hazards in the home and how to prevent them.

cooking on stove top, turning on stove top

Cooking

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries.

Kitchen Fire Safety

  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
  • Keep cooking surfaces clean and clutter free.
  • Avoid loose sleeves that may dangle into flames or onto hot elements.
  • Turn pot and pan handles in.

three red candles burning, lit

Candles

Candles may be pretty to look at but they are a cause of home fires — and home fire deaths. Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. 

Candle Safety Tips

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
  • Keep children and pets away from burning candles.
  • Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.
  • Consider using battery operated flameless candles which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

person removing lint from dryer tray

Dryers

Lint in dryers is extremely flammable. Learn how to prevent a clothes dryer fire with these safety tips:

  • Clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry.
  • Remove excess lint that has collected around the drum.
  • Once a year, clean lint out of the vent pipe.
  • Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.