Fireproofing your home: prevention tips

In the northern Orange County area, 13 homes were destroyed or damaged due to wind-driven firestorms recently. Winter is also here and the need to keep warm increases.

Although having no control over wind activity and the trouble they could cause, people can still prevent fires in their homes by taking precautions.

The Long Beach Fire Department, Bureau of Support Services and Office of Public Education offers advice on how to fire-proof homes.

• Be kitchen wise: Never leave cooking unattended. Use oven mitts and wear clothes with tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when you cook. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn off burners and the oven. Keep stove surfaces free of clutter and built-up grease.
• Give heaters space: Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet (one meter) from everything -- including you. Just brushing against one could set your clothing on fire.
• Install Smoke Detectors: Be sure to have smoke detectors outside or in all sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement.

  Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries once a year or when the detector is "chirping" to indicate that the battery is low.

  If you are hearing impaired, use tested and approved smoke detectors that trigger a strobe light.

• Plan your escape: Know two ways out. Plan two escape routes from every room in your home.

  Also know how to unlock doors and windows. If you smell smoke, hear a smoke alarm, or see flames, get everybody out. Don't wait for any reason. Go directly to your meeting place, and count heads to make sure everyone has escaped.

• Know all building exits: If you live in an apartment building, count the number of doorways between your apartment and the two nearest exits.
• Don't overload electrical outlets: Plugging too many kitchen appliances into the same electrical outlet or circuit could overload your circuit, overheat, or cause a fire.

  Sadly, the fire department reports that children aged five and under are twice as likely to die in fires as are older children and adults. The fire department offers these tips on how to teach children not to play with fire and what to do during a fire.

• Escaping from a fire: Children need to learn that a smoke detector warns them of danger from fire and that when they hear the warning sound, they should get out of the building.
• Stop, drop, and roll: This simple maneuver can save young children's lives if their clothing catches fire.