DO:

• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling
• Stay in the home while simmering, baking, or roasting
• Check food regularly when cooking
• Use a timer as a reminder
• Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet from the stove
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves
• Keep oven mitts, wooden utensils, and towels away from burners
• Clean up spills and grease immediately
• Turn pot handles inward so they don’t get knocked over
• Have a lid nearby to smother grease fires

DON’T:

• Never leave cooking unattended
• Don’t cook if you’re drowsy or have been drinking
• Don’t wear loose clothing near the stove
• Don’t overfill pots or use damaged cookware
• Never use water on a grease fire
• Don’t reach across hot burners
• Don’t store items on the stove
• Never leave food cooking in the oven and leave home

Space Heaters

• Keep 3-foot safety zone around all heaters
• Never leave space heaters unattended
• Turn off when leaving room or going to bed
• Plug directly into wall outlet (no extension cords)
• Place on level, hard surface
• Choose heaters with auto shut-off features
• Keep away from water

Furnaces & Chimneys

• Schedule annual furnace inspection
• Have chimneys cleaned and inspected annually
• Replace furnace filters regularly
• Keep vents and registers clear
• Install carbon monoxide detectors
• Never use oven or stove to heat your home

Fireplaces & Wood Stoves

• Use fireplace screen to prevent sparks
• Burn only dry, seasoned wood
• Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start fires
• Dispose of ashes in metal container outside
• Keep glass doors closed when not adding wood
• Maintain 3-foot clearance from combustibles

Clothes Dryers

• Clean lint trap after every load
• Clean dryer vent annually
• Inspect vent hose for damage
• Never dry items with foam, rubber, or plastic
• Don’t overload the dryer
• Turn off when leaving home

Kerosene Heaters

• Use only approved K-1 kerosene fuel
• Never use gasoline or other substitutes
• Refuel outdoors only, after heater has cooled
• Keep a window cracked for ventilation
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly
• Check local codes — some areas ban indoor use

Carbon Monoxide Safety

• Install CO detectors on every level
• Never run generators or grills indoors
• Don’t warm up vehicles in an attached garage
• Know the symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea
• If alarm sounds, get outside and call 911
• Have fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly

Outlets & Cords

• Don’t overload outlets or power strips
• Use surge protectors for electronics
• Replace damaged or frayed cords immediately
• Never run cords under rugs or furniture
• Don’t nail or staple electrical cords
• Unplug small appliances when not in use
• Use proper wattage for all bulbs
• Install tamper-resistant outlets with young children

Warning Signs

Call an electrician if you notice:

• Flickering or dimming lights
• Frequently tripping circuit breakers
• Warm or discolored outlets
• Buzzing or sizzling sounds
• Burning smell from outlets
• Sparks from outlets or switches
• Outlets that don’t work
• Loose outlets or switches

Basic Rules

• Smoke outside only
• Never smoke in bed or when drowsy
• Never smoke around medical oxygen
• Use deep, sturdy ashtrays
• Wet cigarette butts before disposal
• Never smoke after taking medication that makes you drowsy
• Don’t smoke if you’ve been drinking

Disposal Safety

• Completely extinguish before disposal
• Douse butts with water before throwing away
• Never empty ashtrays into trash
• Check furniture cushions for fallen cigarettes
• Never toss cigarettes off balconies or out car windows

Protecting Children

• Keep lighters and matches locked up
• Store out of sight and reach
• Use child-resistant lighters
• Teach children that smoking materials are tools for adults only
• Never let children see you play with lighters

Placement

• Place on stable, heat-resistant surfaces
• Keep at least 12 inches from anything that can burn
• Keep away from drafts, vents, and fans
• Never place near curtains or blinds
• Keep out of reach of children and pets
• Place where they can’t be knocked over

Use & Monitoring

• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Extinguish before leaving room or going to sleep
• Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch
• Don’t burn candles all the way down
• Stop using when 2 inches of wax remain
• Never use candles during power outage – use flashlights

Extinguishing

• Use candle snuffer or lid to extinguish
• Never blow out candles (can spread sparks)
• Make sure wick ember is completely out
• Don’t touch or move until completely cool
• Make sure no smoke or glow remains

Christmas Trees

• Choose fresh, green trees with flexible needles
• Cut 2 inches from bottom before placing in water
• Keep tree stand filled with water daily
• Place at least 3 feet from heat sources
• Use lights tested for safety (UL label)
• Replace string lights with frayed wires
• Turn off tree lights before bed and when leaving
• Remove tree when needles start falling

Decorations

• Use only non-combustible decorations
• Keep decorations away from heat sources
• Never use candles on or near trees
• Don’t overload electrical outlets
• Use outdoor lights only outdoors
• Secure outdoor decorations against wind
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for all products

Other Holidays

• Halloween: Use battery-operated candles in jack-o-lanterns
• Halloween: Keep costumes away from candles
• Thanksgiving: Never leave cooking unattended
• Thanksgiving: Keep kids away from hot stove
• 4th of July: Leave fireworks to professionals
• Any Holiday: Have working smoke alarms