Important spring cleaning home fire safety tips from the NFPA

KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Fire Department (KFD) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) would like to remind residents to Spring Up for Safety

The KFD is reminding residents that a great time to change the batteries in their smoke alarms is when daylight saving time begins in March and to think about safety during your spring cleaning. According to NFPA, roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no‚ smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Spring is the perfect time for a refresher on fire safety tips that should be followed year-round to make home fires less likely to happen, said Lorraine Carli, NFPAs vice president of communications. Keeping fire safety in mind when adding things to a to-do list, like cleaning a dryers lint filter after each load of laundry and keeping the stovetop clean and clear of clutter, will help prevent fires.

Important spring cleaning home fire safety tips from the NFPA:

Fact: Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.

• Ensure smoke alarms are installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Test them at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• Dual sensor smoke alarms (Ionization & Photoelectric sensors) should be used to replace alarms over ten years old.
• Plan and practice a home escape drill, know how to get out if there is a fire.

Fact: The leading cause of‚ home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them.

• Clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
• Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn, like boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing.

Fact: Most‚ cooking fires in the home involve the stovetop.

• Keep anything that can catch fire ‚- oven mitts, wooden utensils, bard packaging, towels or curtains ‚- away from your stovetop.
• Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.

Fact: Extension cord fires outnumbered fires beginning with permanent or detachable power cords by two-to-one.

• Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use.
• Have a qualified electrician add more receptacle outlets so you dont have to use extension cords.