SOUTH CAROLINA’S FIRE PROBLEM: South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal Public Fire Education and Data Management South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal Public Fire Education and Data Management

HEATING & COOKING

Home is where the heart is...and the place where people feel the safest…

Leading Causes of South Carolina Residential Structure Fires Source: SC Fire Incident Reporting System

Leading Causes of South Carolina Fire Fatalities Source: South Carolina Incident Reporting System

Why does South Carolina have a fire problem? Low Economic Levels Low Educational Levels Vast Rural Areas

What can you do to Protect yourself and your family Practice Fire Safety and Fire Prevention

Install Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms double your chances of surviving a fire

Smoke Alarms… Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for installation Make sure they work – replace batteries when needed Test once a month Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for installation Make sure they work – replace batteries when needed Test once a month

Develop a Plan… the E.D.I.T.H Plan EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME

Your Exit Plan Should: Identify two ways out of every room Establish a meeting place outside A method for contacting the fire department from outside your home Identify two ways out of every room Establish a meeting place outside A method for contacting the fire department from outside your home

Once Your Plan is Developed Teach everyone to “Get Out – Stay Out” Keep in mind that toxic smoke and gases rise to the ceiling. If smoke is present, stay low to the floor for cleaner, cooler air PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE Teach everyone to “Get Out – Stay Out” Keep in mind that toxic smoke and gases rise to the ceiling. If smoke is present, stay low to the floor for cleaner, cooler air PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE

Heating Related Fires

Electric Space Heaters

Tips for Electric Space Heaters Make sure you have the right wiring and outlets with sufficient voltage Units should be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (U.L., etc.) and manufacturer’s instructions should be followed Should have an automatic shut-off valve Make sure you have the right wiring and outlets with sufficient voltage Units should be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (U.L., etc.) and manufacturer’s instructions should be followed Should have an automatic shut-off valve

Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away Keep children and pets away Avoid extension cords Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away Keep children and pets away Avoid extension cords

General Electrical Safety Inspect electrical wiring Don’t overload extension cords Keep extension cords out of traffic areas Electric blankets should conform to appropriate standards Inspect electrical wiring Don’t overload extension cords Keep extension cords out of traffic areas Electric blankets should conform to appropriate standards

Fireplaces

Tips for Using Fireplaces Should be serviced by a professional annually Check for cracks, loose bricks and other defects before use Burn only seasoned hardwoods Never use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to start fire Keep a screen or heat tempered glass door to prevent sparks from flying Should be serviced by a professional annually Check for cracks, loose bricks and other defects before use Burn only seasoned hardwoods Never use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to start fire Keep a screen or heat tempered glass door to prevent sparks from flying

Wood Burning Stoves

Tips for Wood Burning Stoves Top chimney with spark guards Make sure stove has approval from recognized testing laboratory Use adequate ventilation Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away Shovel ashes into a metal container and store outside Follow manufacturer’s instructions Top chimney with spark guards Make sure stove has approval from recognized testing laboratory Use adequate ventilation Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away Shovel ashes into a metal container and store outside Follow manufacturer’s instructions

Kerosene Heaters

Tips for Kerosene Heaters Select the right heater Unit should have a safety shut-off valve Use only pure kerosene Use in a properly ventilated area Shut unit off while sleeping Refuel unit outside – only when unit is cool Select the right heater Unit should have a safety shut-off valve Use only pure kerosene Use in a properly ventilated area Shut unit off while sleeping Refuel unit outside – only when unit is cool

Kitchens …The Most Dangerous Room in your Home

Tips for Cooking Safety Never leave stove unattended while cooking Appliances should be turned off after use Cover a grease fire with a lid Never leave stove unattended while cooking Appliances should be turned off after use Cover a grease fire with a lid

Turn pot handles to the inside Never use stove or oven to heat your home Check appliances before going to bed to make sure they are turned off Turn pot handles to the inside Never use stove or oven to heat your home Check appliances before going to bed to make sure they are turned off

In Review... Install and maintain smoke alarms Develop and practice E.D.I.T.H. Pay particular attention to the safe use of alternate heating sources Use caution in the kitchen – be careful and mindful while cooking Install and maintain smoke alarms Develop and practice E.D.I.T.H. Pay particular attention to the safe use of alternate heating sources Use caution in the kitchen – be careful and mindful while cooking