There is nothing more important than the safety of your family.

And as summer turns to fall, it is a good idea for everyone in your home to refresh their memories on fall fire safety tips.

Most safety tips are the same year-round, but here are some fall fire safety tips for children and families to familiarize themselves with before experiencing the first cold snap of the season.

Check Smoke Detectors & Fire Extinguishers

• Change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Verify each month that smoke detectors are in working order
• Verify that all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order
• Make sure that there is a sufficient quantity of smoke detectors in your home
• Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use a fire extinguisher

Make Sure All Heating Sources Work Properly

• No matter what type of device you use to heat your home, making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order
• Verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working

Space Heater Safety Tips

• Make sure that any space heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space
• Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry
• Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery
• Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed
• Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters

Halloween Safety Tips

• Use flashlights instead of candles in Halloween jack-o-lanterns
• Make sure that children’s costumes are made with fire retardant materials

Family Fire Safety Tips

• Teach your kids how to respond in the event of a fire
• Make sure young children know how to dial 911
• Establish and practice a fire escape plan with your family that includes a designated meeting area outside the home
• Practice stop, drop and roll with your children so they learn how to escape beneath a fire
• Teach everyone in your family multiple ways to escape from every room in the event of a fire
• Do not place lit candles where they can be reached by children
• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Do not leave candles burning when you go to sleep
• Make sure all flammable substances are properly stored in safe containers and out of reach of children

Kitchen Fire Safety

• Don’t leave cooking food unattended on the stove
• Keep everything that might be flammable away from your stove

Outdoor Fire Safety

• Clear your roof and gutters of unnecessary buildup of debris, such as pine needles and leaves
• Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area, and do not engage in illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at 314-227-3932.

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Updated 8/12/2014