Power to Protect

Most home fires can be prevented. They happen when people are careless and make mistakes - from forgetting a pot on the stove to not keeping cooking equipment, heating and electrical devices in a good working condition. Fire prevention is something in which everyone can participate, so take the time to inspect your home for possible safety hazards and encourage the whole family to help.

Have Smoke Alarms That Work
If your alarms are 10 years old or older, replace them with new ones. Smoke alarms can become desensitized over time. If possible, replace with interconnected alarms. These alarms are linked together so if one alarm is activated, all alarms got off at once. This gives you precious extra time to help get your family members to safety. Also, be sure to install at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and inside or near sleeping areas. Test the smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries in your smoke alarm at least once per year with batteries you can trust like Duracell®.

Create a Fire Escape Plan
Make sure your family's fire escape plan includes two exits out of every room and an outside meeting place away from the home. Practice a fire drill at least twice each year with the entire family. Help protect your family and home with our customized tool. You can create your very own customized fire escape plan and print it for your home!

Keep Escape Routes Clear
Make sure stairs and doorways are never blocked and that windows and doors open easily. Look for things that could slow down your escape and either move or fix them.

Make Sure Everyone Can Open Locks on Doors and Windows
If you have security bars on doors or windows, have \"quick release\" latches that make it easier to get outside in an emergency.

Plan for a Second Floor Escape
If one of your two escape routes is out a second floor or higher window, be sure to have a portable escape ladder easily accessible.

Make Sure Cigarettes are Out
Smoking materials are the number one cause of home fire deaths. If possible, use \"fire safe\" cigarettes, these are designed to go out by themselves when no one is actually smoking the cigarette. The safest place to smoke is outside the home. Use large, deep ashtrays on sturdy tables. Wet cigarettes and cigar butts with water before putting them in the trash.

Never Leaves Candles Unattended
Blow out all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep. Keep candles at least three feet away from items that can burn. Battery-powered candles are a safe alternative to lit candles. If your home loses power, use flashlights instead of candles.

Learn the right moves
Fire! Now what? Stop, Drop and Roll - get your whole family to practice. This move is a lifesaver if you clothes ever catch on fire.

1.		Stop where you are, and stop what you're doing. DON'T RUN!

2.		Now drop to the floor as fast as you can.

3.		Cover your face with your hands, then roll over and over until the 'flames' are out.

It is very important to know what to do should a fire occur. More important still is the prevention of a fire before it starts.

BBQ Safety

Make sure the pipes leading up to the burners are clean and free of obstruction.

Check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line.

Don't wear loose clothing while cooking at the barbeque.

Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the fire can flash back up into the container and explode.

Supervise children around outdoor grills and keep matches and lighters away from them.

Never barbeque in an enclosed area.

Chimneys
Have your fireplace chimney checked and cleaned at least once a year.

Fireplaces
Use metal or glass fireplace screens.

Heaters
Keep space heaters, stoves, irons and other heat producing appliances away from furniture, curtains, bedding or towels.

Loose Wires
Don't run extension cords under carpets: they can easily overheat. Also, never use an appliance with a damaged cord.

Stove Fires

Keep pot handles turned towards the back of the stove and never leave food cooking unattended.

Avoid loose clothing as it can brush heating elements and easily catch fire.

If a grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid over the pan. You can also pour baking soda on the flames.

Never pour water on a grease fire. Only use a fire extinguisher approved for kitchen use.

Oven Fires

Keep your oven clean because built-up grease and food particles are easily ignited. Keep things that can catch fire easily (i.e. dish towels, newspapers, grocery bags) away from the oven and all appliances.

Should an oven fire start, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing.

Microwave Fires

Microwave ovens are fairly safe appliances but if you accidentally place a twist-tie or other piece of metal inside, 'fire' may occur. Ensure you microwave is in good working condition and always follow the cooking instructions.

In case of a fire, unplug the appliance and do not open the microwave door until the flames are out. Make sure to have the microwave serviced before you use it again.

Camping Safety

Always use a flame-retardant tent and set up far away from campfire.

Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves and downwind from the tent.

Never leave a campfire unattended, especially when there are children around.

Keep campfires small and have plenty of water and a shovel on hand to douse the fire.

Fireworks

If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area.

Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.

Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.

Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.

Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks.

Supervise children around fireworks at all times.

While on Holiday

Make sure the stove and portable heaters are turned off, and household appliances are unplugged.

Don't trust heat-producing devices, like automatic coffee makers, to turn themselves off, particularly if they depend on timers or a clock.

Unplug overloaded outlets or old/frayed extension cords.

If leaving pets at home, make sure there are no fire hazards lying around that they can knock over or get into. Put a sticker on the door or window that lets firemen know there are pets inside to be rescued.

*The survey, commissioned by Duracell and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, was conducted by Acrobat Research Ltd, an independent, non-partisan survey research firm. The survey was conducted on May 8 to May 11, 2008 across Canada by telephone among a representative sample of 1,000 Canadians, eighteen years of age and older. The results are accurate to within +/- 3.10%, 19 times out of 20.