#USFA
Related posts · 5 posts
Clothes Dryer Fire Safety — USFA and CPSC: Clean the Lint Filter Before and After Each Load; Failure to Clean Led Home Dryer Fires at 31%
The US Fire Administration says failure to clean (31%) was the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires in 2018–2020. Never run a dryer without the lint filter, clean it before and after each load, check the vent, and plug straight into a wall outlet. CPSC tips too.
Electrical Fire Safety — USFA: Outlets, Extension Cords and Power Strips; 1 Heat-Producing Appliance per Wall Outlet, Deaths Peak in December and January
The US Fire Administration reports about 24,200 residential building electrical fires and 295 deaths in 2021 and says home electrical fire deaths peak in December and January. Plug 1 heat-producing appliance into a wall outlet at a time and never overload power strips.
Home Fire Escape Plan — USFA: 2 Ways Out of Every Room, Less Than 2 Minutes After the Smoke Alarm, 7 Steps and High-Rise Escape
The US Fire Administration says you could have less than 2 minutes to escape once the smoke alarm sounds. Draw a home map, find 2 ways out of every room and practise with everyone. The 7 steps and high-rise apartment rules are here.
Candle Fire Safety — USFA: 12 Inches from Anything That Burns, No Candles in Bedrooms, Flashlights in a Power Outage
The US Fire Administration cites NFPA data of an average of 20 home candle fires a day in the US. Keep lit candles at least 12 inches (about 30 cm) from anything that can burn, none in bedrooms, bathrooms or sleeping areas, and use flashlights instead of candles in a power outage.
Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety — USFA: 3 Feet Clear, Ashes in a Lidded Metal Can 10 Feet Out, Chimney Checked Every Year
The US Fire Administration says heating was the second leading cause of home fires in 2021 (about 32,200). Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney inspected every year, and put ashes in a lidded metal container at least 10 feet from the home.