- Use Caution With Candles. Keep candles away from combustible materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits. Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only. Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only
- Keep Fire Extinguishers Handy Throughout Your Home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them. Consider installing other equipment, such as an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
- Inspect Fireplaces and Wood Stoves - Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs. Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season.
- Use Generators Carefully- If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors-never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Connecting a cord from the generator to a point on the permanent wiring system and backfeeding power to your home is an unsafe method to supply a building with power.
- Use Clothes and Blankets to Build Layers Against the Cold - Have extra blankets, scarves, hats and sweaters on hand, and ensure that each member of your household is ready with a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots when you go outside.
- Create a Disaster Supplies Kit — Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.redcross.org for a list of materials.
- Make Sure Smoke Alarms are Working Properly and replace batteries as necessary.
- Don't Overload Your Electrical Outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
- Make Sure to Learn the Life Saving Skills of First Aid/CPR. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for details.