Fire safety is crucial for protecting your home and the people you care about. Each year, thousands of homes are affected by fires, many of which can be prevented with simple precautions. This webpage provides essential tips to help you reduce the risk of fire in your home. From cooking safety to the importance of having an escape plan, these guidelines are designed to keep you and your loved ones safe. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.
For information about the use of recreational fires, open burns, and fireworks, please visit our policies webpage here.
Smoke Alarms
- Smoke alarms save lives by providing early warning of a fire
- Smoke alarms should be placed in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each floor of the residence, including the basement
- A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 911, and stay out.
- A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- Check the batteries twice per year!
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
- Alarms should be replaced every 10 years
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
- CO alarms should be placed on each floor of the residence and within 15 feet of sleeping rooms
- Do not place too close to furnaces, water heaters, or fireplaces
- A continuous set of four loud beeps means carbon monoxide is present in your home. Get out, call 911, and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. “End of life” sounds vary by manufacturer.
If you need any assistance or have questions about your home's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or creating a home escape plan, please call us at 303-658-4536.
Plan Your Escape Route at Home
- If a fire breaks out in your home, you may only have minutes to escape. Develop and practice an evacuation plan
- Know at least two ways out of every room. Ensure all doors and windows easily open
- Teach kids how to escape on their own in case you aren’t with them
- If you have to evacuate, NEVER go back inside to retrieve pets or belongings
- Identify a meeting place outside where all family members can reunite
- In a smoky environment, crawl low under the smoke
Close Your Doors
- Closed doors can prevent a fire from spreading throughout the home
- “Close before you doze” – sleeping with your bedroom door closed may keep you safe in the event of a fire
- If you have to evacuate for a fire, close the doors on your way out. This may help keep the fire contained to one room of the house
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
- Lithium-ion batteries supply power to many devices including cell phones, laptops, e-bikes, and toys. If not used correctly, or if damaged, these batteries can catch on fire or explode
- Only use the battery designed for the device & charging cord that came with device
- Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch
Cooking Safety
Cooking and equipment are the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
- Never leave a hot stove unattended
- Keep flammable items away from the stove (towels, paper, curtains)
- Use a timer to remind you that food is cooking
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food is
- If you have a small grease cooking fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s completely cooled
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed
Grilling Safety
- Before you turn on your gas grill, check the gas supply hose for leaks
- Keep the grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup
- Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, or out from under eaves and overhanging branches
- For charcoal grills – only use charcoal starter fluid and let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container
Smoking Safety
Smoking is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths in the United States. The risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking increases with age and most smoking-related deaths result from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms, or bedrooms.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also warns of the risk of using electronic cigarettes. Fires have occurred while e-cigarettes were being used, the battery was being charged, or the device was being transported. The leading cause for these reported fires have been due to battery failures that have led to small explosions. Never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended.
To reduce the risk of smoking-related structure fires, these tips are suggested by the Westminster Fire Department and the NFPA:
- Use a deep, sturdy ashtray and place it away from flammable substances in your home
- Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants, peat moss, or items that can ignite easily
- Before you throw away butts or ashes, be sure they are fully extinguished by dousing in water or sand
October is Fire Prevention Month
Every October, we observe Fire Prevention Month to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention. Established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 1922, Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health observance in the United States, commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its mission is to educate the public about the dangers of home fires and ways to prevent them.
The 2024 Fire Prevention Month theme is "Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!" The campaign focuses on the critical role smoke alarms play in keeping homes and families safe, and the importance of having working smoke alarms in every home. Throughout October, Westminster Fire hosted booths at various City faclities engaging with the community through interactive displays, informational handouts, and giving away free smoke alarms.
Below, you’ll find helpful flyers on smoke alarms, how to create an effective evacuation plan, and general fire safety. Use these resources to start important conversations with your family about fire safety!