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National Fire Prevention Month

Writer's picture: Abby BuckleyAbby Buckley

October is National Fire Prevention Month! Did you know that 3 of every 5 home fire deaths result from not having working smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the # 1 cause of accidental poisoning in the United States? Also, only 43% of homeowners have an escape plan, only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their homes, and 60% of people do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly.


The most common causes of house fires are:

  • Unattended cooking

  • Heating Equipment

  • Electrical Elements & Lighting Elements

  • Candles

  • Smoking inside


You can try to prevent house fires by following these tips:

  • Never leave candles unattended.

  • Never leave what you are cooking unattended.

  • Unplug appliances when not in use.

  • Clean the dryer lint filter before and after each use.

  • Do not overload outlets and don't use extension cords for appliances.

  • Have working Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

  • Have accessible fire extinguishers.

  • Have an escape plan in case there is a fire/emergency.

  • Use and store chemicals safely.

  • Eliminate clutter

  • You can find more information here: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prevent-fires/

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.

  • Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or don’t respond when tested.




Some more great resources are:

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