Fire Safety and Prevention

It is sad to realize that the place we are supposed to feel safest in can be the deadliest during a fire. To lower your risk of fire and becoming a victim, you need to prepare yourself and your family for one if it happens. Ensure your smoke detectors are installed and working properly. There should be one in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. This alarm serves as a warning that a fire is present and alerts you when most fires occur. Without a sounding alarm, it may be too late to respond.

As of August 1, 2008, all existing single-family homes must have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. At least one approved and operational alarm should be installed within 10 feet of each bedroom.

Practice makes perfect. There has never been a fire death in a school in Minnesota because children practice escaping at least nine times a year. Do the same in your home, and your chances of becoming a victim will significantly decrease. Plan an escape route for your entire family and agree on a meeting place so you know everyone is out. That is the first question firefighters will ask you when we arrive.

Sitting under the stars by a crackling fire has its appeal. It’s where stories are told, sing-alongs happen, and meals are cooked over an open flame. Campfires bring family and friends together. But campfire mishaps can cause injuries. With a few safety tips, you can prevent these accidents.

SAFETY AROUND THE FIRE

• Before setting up a campfire, be sure it is permitted. Check with your local fire department.
• If campfires are permitted, they need to be at least 25 feet away from any structure and anything that can burn.
• Clear away dry leaves and sticks, overhanging low branches and shrubs.
• Avoid burning on windy, dry days. It is easier for open burning to spread out of control when it is windy and dry.
• Watch children while the fire is burning. Never let children or pets play or stand too close to the fire.
• Attend to the campfire at all times. A campfire left alone for only a few minutes can grow into a damaging fire.
• Keep a campfire small, which is easier to control.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids.
• Always have a hose, bucket of water, or shovel and dirt or sand nearby to put out the fire. Make sure to put it completely out before leaving the site.
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll. Stop, drop to the ground and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out.
• Treat a burn right away. Cool the burn with cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help if needed.

ROASTING WITH CARE

When roasting marshmallows, help young children. Never shake a roasting marshmallow. It can turn into a flying flaming ball. A heated metal can also cause burns.

FACT

Every year, campfire accidents lead to thousands of people visiting emergency rooms with burn injuries.

Campfire Safety (PDF)

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 WITH CARE

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid using candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Keep candles at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) away from anything that can burn.
• Think about using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles.

IF YOU DO BURN CANDLES, MAKE SURE THAT YOU…

• Use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip over easily.
• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles.

CANDLES AND KIDS

Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet.

FACTS

• December is the peak month for home candle fires.
• More than one-third of home candle fires started in the bedroom.
• Three out of every five candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle.

Candle Safety (PDF)

DID YOU KNOW?

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas. 
• Signs of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting and disorientation. 
• Cooking and heating units that burn fuel and are not adequately ventilated or malfunction can be a source of CO in the home.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO ALARMS

• Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room or inside each sleeping room.
• Test CO alarms monthly.
• If a CO alarm sounds and you feel ill, call 911 immediately. If you feel fine, open windows and doors, and contact your utility company.
• Clear snow and debris from furnace, dryer, fireplace or oven vents around your home to prevent a CO buildup.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Fact Sheet (PDF)

When it comes to prevention, most people don't realize how much risk is posed by outdoor plants. There has recently been a noticeable increase in incidents of fires caused by dry peat moss in potting soil. Problems are also related to soil fertilizers, which can act as oxidizers that accelerate fires.

PEAT MOSS FIRES

• Over the last several years, fire departments have reported a higher-than-average number of fires caused by potting soil.
• This new trend of accidental fires has a root cause - careless disposal of smoking materials.
• Today, smoking is only permitted outdoors, where there are often insufficient ashtrays or receptacles for cigarette butts. Consequently, smokers often "butt" out in any available container, such as a patio planter.

THE MORE YOU KNOW

• Potting soil poses a significant fire risk because it contains a high amount of inorganic material that can ignite easily.
• Many potting soils on the market today contain less dirt and more flammable organic substances, such as shredded wood, bark, peat moss, Styrofoam, and vermiculite. These materials help absorb and retain water and aerate the soil.
• With an ignition temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit, dry peat moss provides a safe soil conditioner under most conditions. Fire occurs when an external heat source contacts the peat. A discarded cigarette butt generates temperatures in excess of 700 degrees Fahrenheit. Smokers should avoid discarding butts in planters.

EFFECTS

• Home and apartment fires that begin in planters can burn unnoticed for several hours. Peat smolders rather than bursting into flame and can burn down to the base of the container with no more than a thin smoke plume and pungent odor.
• Any flammable material near the container can help spread the fire. Decks and other wooden structures present a rich source of fuel.

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

• Do not use potted plants as an ashtray.
• Always keep potted plants well-watered.
• Do not keep potted plants near combustible material.
• Use clay planter pots whenever possible, as they may keep potting soil fires better contained.
• Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility…fire stops with you!

Cigarettes and Peat Moss - A Dangerous Mix (PDF)

Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. 
But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? 
By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires.

COOK WITH CAUTION

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

IF YOU HAVE A SMALL (GREASE) COOKING FIRE AND DECIDE TO FIGHT THE FIRE...

• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT FIGHTING A SMALL FIRE...

• Get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

FACTS

• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Most cooking fires in the home involve the kitchen stove.

Cooking Safety (PDF)

Only Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives

WITH DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES

The Ramsey Fire Department would like to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check the batteries in each detector when they move their clocks ahead to start daylight saving time.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in more than 50% of home fires that were reported to fire departments in the US between 2014 and 2018, residents were alerted to the danger by a working smoke alarm. Almost 60 % of home fire deaths occurred in homes without properly functioning smoke alarms or no smoke alarms at all during the same time.

THE MORE YOU KNOW

• To keep residents’ homes safe and prevent fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, the Ramsey Fire Department recommends these safety tips:
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That is because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms and follow the instructions.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month, pressing the test button to ensure the alarm functions properly.
• CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it is too late. Include at least two ways to exit each room, and select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home. Some suggestions for a meeting place might be your neighbor’s home or a landmark, such as a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

Daylight Saving Reminder (PDF)

Flipping a light switch, plugging in a coffeemaker, and charging a laptop computer. These are second nature for most of us. Electricity makes our lives easier. However, we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind.

SAFETY TIPS

• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
• When you are buying or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified private inspector or in accordance with local requirements.
• Only use one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.
• Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, microwave ovens, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extension cords and plug strips should not be used.
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) shut off electricity when a dangerous condition occurs. Consider having them installed in your home.
• Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs shut off an electrical circuit when it becomes a shock hazard. They should be installed inside the home in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and basements. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI-protected.
• Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You do not need a flame to start a fire. Fires can start when heat builds up near things that burn. This can happen when a hot light bulb is near flammable materials, such as cloth or paper, or when a cord has been placed under a carpet.
• Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords.
• Use a light bulb with the right number of watts. There should be a sticker indicating the correct wattage.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have:

• Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
• A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance
• Discolored or warm wall outlets
• A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Sparks from an outlet

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but it has limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.

SAFETY TIPS

• Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
• For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be challenging to handle.
• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Ramsey Fire offers hands-on fire extinguisher training.
• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.
• Most fire extinguishers are emptied in less than a minute.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE - PASS

Be sure to remember the PASS operating technique for fire extinguishers. PASS Stands for:

P - Pull the pin. Pulling the pin unlocks the operating lever or button, allowing you to discharge the extinguisher. Stand at least 6 to 8 feet from the fire.

A - Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.

S - Squeeze the lever below the handle. Squeezing the lever discharges the extinguisher’s contents. When you release the lever, the discharge stops. Some models have a button to press rather than a lever.

S - Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep from side to side until the flames appear to be out.

Watch the area. If the fire starts up again, repeat the PASS technique.

People living in an apartment building need to think ahead and be prepared in the event of a fire. It is important to know the fire safety features in your building and work together with neighbors to help keep the building as fire-safe as possible.

WHY ALARMS SOUND

• Smoke alarms detect smoke in the early stages of a fire and send an alarm to warn you of a fire in time to let you escape.

WHAT TO DO WHEN ALARMS SOUND

• Prepare to leave immediately
• Feel your corridor door
• If it is not hot, check the corridor for smoke
• If the corridor is clear, move to the stairwell
• Check the stairwell for smoke
• If the stairwell is clear, go down to the ground floor and exit the building

FIRE EXITS

• Know the locations of all available exit stairs from your floor in case the nearest one is blocked by fire
• Use the stairs to get out- never use the elevator unless you are directed to by the fire department
• Fire doors provide safety during a fire and slow the spread of fire and smoke. Never prop open stairway or other fire doors.

BE PREPARED

• Learn your building's evacuation plans. Make sure everyone knows what to do if the fire alarm sounds.
• Learn the sound of your building's fire alarm and treat all alarms as an emergency.
• Know at least two escape routes from your apartment.

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

• Once you are out of the building, STAY OUT! Do not go back in for any reason
• Only enter the building when the fire department tells you it’s safe to do so.

MAINTAIN WORKING SMOKE ALARMS

• Test your smoke alarms once a month using the test button.
• Change the battery once a year
• Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility... Fire Stops With You!

Fire Safety For Apartment Buildings (PDF)

243 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

Fireworks Safety Tips

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying them.
• For more information on approved fireworks, please visit www.dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/programsservices/Pages/Fireworks-Information.aspx
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. 

Injuries by Fireworks Type

• 12% Sparklers
• 11% Firecrackers
• 6% Roman Candles
• 5% Bottle Rockets
• 3% Novelties
• 2% Reloadable Shells
• 2% Public Fireworks Display
• 1% Homemade Fireworks
• 56% Unspecified

Injuries by Age

• 14% - 0-4
• 11% - 5-9
• 11% - 10-14
• 13% - 15-19
• 8% - 20-24
• 34% - 25-44
• 7% - 45-64
• 1% - 65+

More Fireworks Safety Tips are available at www.cpsc.gov/fireworks.

Fireworks Injury Statistics PDF

FIREWORKS are often used to mark special events and holidays. The only safe way to view fireworks is to attend a professional show. With so many injuries being reported each year, fireworks are not safe in the hands of consumers. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year.

A FEW IDEAS TO GET INTO THE PATRIOTIC SPIRIT, WITHOUT FIREWORKS:

• Use glow sticks. They glow in the dark and are a safe alternative to a sparkler. Fun for all ages.
• Loud and proud. Noise makers are sure to make a statement. They can be found at local party supply stores, or you can make your own.
• Outdoor movie night. Set up a screen and projector. Don’t forget the bug spray!
• Red, white and blue silly string…fun for all ages.
• Make a patriotic craft with the family.
• Throw a birthday party for the USA, and don’t forget the cake.

FACTS

• Each year, fireworks cause over 19,500 reported fires.
• Burns make up 44% of the 9,100 fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms during the month surrounding July 4th.
• Half of all fireworks injuries treated in emergency rooms affect the extremities—hands, fingers, or legs—while one-third involve the eyes or other parts of the head.
• Children ages 10 to 14 experience the highest rate of fireworks injuries. Over one-third (36%) of all victims are under 15 years old.
• Sparklers alone account for about one-quarter of fireworks injuries treated in emergency rooms.

Fireworks Safety (PDF)

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips, and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

SAFETY TIPS

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

• There are several ways to prepare the charcoal for use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to light charcoal using newspaper as fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing of them in a metal container.

PROPANE GRILLS

Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap-and-water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

FACTS

•  July is the peak month for grill fires.
• Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.

Grilling Safety (PDF)

There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent most heating fires from happening.

BE WARM AND SAFE THIS WINTER!

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space-heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

HEATING EQUIPMENT SMARTS

Install wood-burning stoves following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

FACT

Half of home-heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.

Heating Safety (PDF)

Pets give us comfort, friendship, and unconditional love. Our connection to them can be among the strongest relationships in our lives. But pets can cause fires. We need to be careful with pets in the home.

SAFETY TIPS

• Pets are curious. They may bump into, turn on, or knock over cooking equipment. Keep pets away from stoves and countertops.
• Keep pets away from candles, lamps, and space heaters.
• Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen on a fireplace and keep it in place.
• Keep pets away from a chimney’s outside vents. Have a “pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the fireplace. Glass doors and screens can stay dangerously hot for several hours after the fire goes out.
• Consider battery-operated, flameless candles. They can look and smell like real candles.
• Some pets tend to chew on things. Monitor pets to ensure they do not chew through electrical cords. If you encounter any issues, have them checked by a professional.

SMOKE ALARMS

• Have working smoke alarms on every level of the home. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month.
• If the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
• Never go back inside for pets in a fire. Tell firefighters if your pet is trapped.

PETS AND WILDFIRES

Make sure pets are included in your family’s wildfire evacuation plan. Build an evacuation kit for each pet in your household. Ensure each kit is the size and weight that can be quickly and easily loaded into a vehicle when packing for evacuation.

FACT

Pets or wild animals are involved in about 750 home fires per year. These involve cooking equipment, fireplaces and chimneys, space heaters, lamps, bulbs, wiring, and candles.

Pet Fire Safety (PDF)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect your home’s smoke alarms. This way, when one sounds, they all sound.
• Teach children the sound of the smoke alarm and to exit the home/building when it sounds.
• Place alarms on the ceiling. If alarms are placed on the wall, they must be no more than 12 inches below the ceiling.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly.
• Smoke alarm batteries should be changed at least once a year.
• All smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
• Working smoke alarms cut in half your risk of dying in a residential fire.

The place where we feel safest, at home, is where most smoking-material structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur. Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoking material fires are preventable.

SMOKING SAFETY

• If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes.
• If you smoke, smoke outside. Most deaths result from fires that start in living rooms, family rooms, and dens, or in bedrooms.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.

PUT IT OUT

• Use a deep, sturdy ashtray. Place it away from anything that can burn.
• Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants, or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily.
• Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure they are out. Dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.

SMOKING AND MEDICAL OXYGEN

• Never smoke and never allow anyone to smoke where medical oxygen is used. Medical oxygen can make materials ignite more easily and cause fires to burn at a faster rate than usual. It can make an existing fire burn faster and hotter.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

• Fires have occurred while e-cigarettes were being used, the battery was being charged, or the device was being transported. Battery failures have led to small explosions.
• Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended.
• E-cigarettes should be used with caution.

FACTS

• The risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age.
• One out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.

Smoking & Home Fire Safety (PDF)