Bedroom Fire Safety
Bedroom fire safety helps you sleep sound at night.
Each year, fires claim the lives of 4,000 Americans and injure over 25,000. The bedroom is a common place for a fire to start and nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that start in the bedroom. Many of these fires are caused by the misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices such as space heaters close to combustibles and overloaded extension cords. Other bedroom fires start by children who play with matches or lighters, arson, or careless smoking in bed. There are some simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property that the Bushkill Twp. Vol. Fire Co., as well as the United States Fire Administration (USFA), and the Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) would like you to know:
Kids & Fire: A Bad Match
Children are one of the highest at-risk groups for deaths in a residential fire. Children usually play with fire - lighters, matches, and other ignitable items at home in bedrooms, closets and under beds. These are "secret" places to them and there are normally a lot of things that can easily catch on fire.
* Children of all ages set over 100,000 fires annually. Over 30% of fires that kill children are set by children playing with fire.
* Over 800 children 9 years and younger die in house fires each year.
* Keep matches and lighters locked up and out of reach of children. Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches or evidence that your children are playing with matches or fire.
* Teach children that fire is a tool and not a toy. Tell them to NEVER play with fire.
Appliances Require Special Attention
Bedrooms are the most common room where an electrical fire starts. Electrical fires are a special concern during winter months which has more indoor activities. This requires more appliance use such as electric blankets, space heaters, and other appliance usage.
* Do not trap electrical cards up against a wall, coil them, or keep them under a rug where heat can build up over time.
* Take extreme care when using portable heaters. Distance the heater at least 3 feet away from bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items.
* Use UL Listed approved electric blankets and warmers only. Check to make sure the cords are not cut or frayed.
Tuck yourself in for a safe sleep
* Never smoke in bed!
* Replace any mattress made before the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.
* Have working smoke alarms. Having these increases your chances of surviving a fire dramatically. Place one on each level of your home, in each bedroom and outside each hall where your bedroom doors are. Test these monthly and change your batteries when you change your clocks. Remember to plan and practice a fire escape plan frequently with the entire family.
Each year, fires claim the lives of 4,000 Americans and injure over 25,000. The bedroom is a common place for a fire to start and nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that start in the bedroom. Many of these fires are caused by the misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices such as space heaters close to combustibles and overloaded extension cords. Other bedroom fires start by children who play with matches or lighters, arson, or careless smoking in bed. There are some simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property that the Bushkill Twp. Vol. Fire Co., as well as the United States Fire Administration (USFA), and the Sleep Products Safety Council (SPSC) would like you to know:
Kids & Fire: A Bad Match
Children are one of the highest at-risk groups for deaths in a residential fire. Children usually play with fire - lighters, matches, and other ignitable items at home in bedrooms, closets and under beds. These are "secret" places to them and there are normally a lot of things that can easily catch on fire.
* Children of all ages set over 100,000 fires annually. Over 30% of fires that kill children are set by children playing with fire.
* Over 800 children 9 years and younger die in house fires each year.
* Keep matches and lighters locked up and out of reach of children. Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches or evidence that your children are playing with matches or fire.
* Teach children that fire is a tool and not a toy. Tell them to NEVER play with fire.
Appliances Require Special Attention
Bedrooms are the most common room where an electrical fire starts. Electrical fires are a special concern during winter months which has more indoor activities. This requires more appliance use such as electric blankets, space heaters, and other appliance usage.
* Do not trap electrical cards up against a wall, coil them, or keep them under a rug where heat can build up over time.
* Take extreme care when using portable heaters. Distance the heater at least 3 feet away from bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items.
* Use UL Listed approved electric blankets and warmers only. Check to make sure the cords are not cut or frayed.
Tuck yourself in for a safe sleep
* Never smoke in bed!
* Replace any mattress made before the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer.
* Have working smoke alarms. Having these increases your chances of surviving a fire dramatically. Place one on each level of your home, in each bedroom and outside each hall where your bedroom doors are. Test these monthly and change your batteries when you change your clocks. Remember to plan and practice a fire escape plan frequently with the entire family.
