January 21

a.      Working smoke alarms

b.      Home Escape Plan and practice it twice a year.

c.       Close the door when sleeping and when escaping a room or building that is on fire.

d.      Call 911 and report fires or emergencies immediately. When you hear a smoke alarm, get outside and stay outside.

e.      If you need smoke alarms in your home, please contact the Oak Ridge Fire Department at 865-425-FIRE (3473) or email smokealarms@oakridgetn.gov.

a.      Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home including the basement.

b.      Test smoke detectors monthly

c.       Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years.

d.      Change the batteries twice a year or when the detector chirps indicating a low battery.

e.      Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm. When you hear a smoke alarm, get outside and stay outside according to your home fire safety plan.

a.      Make sure you have working smoke alarms inside and outside of every sleeping area, and on every level. Make sure that everyone in your home knows the sound and understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

b.      Make a home escape plan by drawing a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows. Go to every room to identify two ways out of the room. Make sure all of your windows and doors will open and everyone knows how to remove screens. Practice your plan with everyone in the home at least twice a year.

c.       Have an outside meeting place (something permanent, like a tree, light pole, or mailbox) a safe distance in front of the home where firefighters will easily find you.

d.      Make sure your house number can be seen from the street both day and night.

e.      Please be sure that everyone knows how to call 911 and report fires or emergencies immediately. When you hear a smoke alarm, get outside and stay outside.

a.      A closed door is one of the best pieces of firefighting and lifesaving equipment. It can:

i.      Reduce fire growth and spread

ii.      Limit damage to your home

b.      If you have to leave a room that is on fire, simply closing the door behind you can be the best decision you make.

c.       Close the bedroom door when sleeping.

d.      Close doors behind you when escaping a room or building that is on fire.

e.      Keep fire doors closed. Never wedge, disable or prop open fire doors in any building.

Cooking

a.      The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen and be alert. Turn the burner off if you leave the kitchen for any reason.

b.      Have a “kid free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and area where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

c.       Keep things that could catch fire (i.e. oven mitts, paper, utensils, food packaging, towels, curtains) away from the stove and heat sources.

d.      Keep stovetop, burners, and oven clean.

If you need smoke alarms or assistance with home fire safety please call (865) 425-FIRE (3473) or email smokealarms@oakridgetn.gov

a.      Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

b.      Have at least a 3 foot “kid-free zone” around space heaters.

c.       Use only listed space heaters.

d.      Purchase space heaters that automatically shut off if they are tipped over.

e.      Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlets and never into an extension cord or power tap.

If you need any smoke alarms or additional information, please call (865) 425-FIRE (3473) or email smokealarms@oakridgetn.gov

a.      Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is often called “the invisible killer”. It is created when fossil fuels such as kerosene, gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane, methane, or wood don’t burn completely. CO gas kill people and pets.

b.      Headaches, nausea, and drowsiness are symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Exposure can be fatal.

c.       CO alarms shall be installed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.

d.      Test CO detectors monthly and replace if they fail to respond.

e.      If CO alarm sounds, immediately exit per your home escape plan and call 911. Do not go back until fire department personnel declares it is safe to re-enter the home.