Do you know enough about fire safety?

Each year, more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires. That’s why we wanted to share some important fire safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Most people don’t realize that in a home fire, smoke is often more dangerous than the fire itself. Smoke quickly obscures escape routes and makes it difficult to take in oxygen. Smoke also is dangerous because of the superheated air and toxic gases, which can permanently damage delicate tissues in the lungs. That is why a speedy evacuation is vital. You may have only seconds to get everyone out of the house in time. Don’t waste precious seconds on retrieving personal possessions.

If a fire should break out during nighttime hours, many people assume they will smell the smoke and get out in time. Yet fumes and gases resulting from a fire can put you into a deep state of sleep. That’s why it’s so important to have fire detectors in every area of the home, to make sure batteries are changed regularly and to periodically check that the detector is working properly. It’s estimated that 60 percent of all house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke detector. The piercing sound of a detector can save your life!

Kitchen fires are more common than you may think. Never throw water onto a kitchen fire arising from spilled grease or oil. You could spread the flames and also place yourself in extreme danger of incurring serious burns. Use a fire extinguisher instead. Each home should have one or more fire extinguishers, and you should make sure you know how to use them quickly in an emergency.

Do you have a fire evacuation plan? All family members should know what to do in the event of a fire. Conduct fire safety drills both at night and during daytime hours until all your family members know exactly what to do and where to go in the event of a home fire.