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More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if only they had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The U.S. Fire Administration offers the following life-saving tips that could make a big difference for you and your community.
Following these simple fire safety tips can increase your survival rate dramatically.
 Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least twice a year. Consider installing a 10 year lithium battery powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
 The kitchen is a high danger zone for fire, so be extra cautious when cooking. Remember not to leave cooking food unattended and don't wear loose clothing when cooking.
Never use the range or oven to heat your home.
Double check the kitchen to be sure the oven and all small appliances are turned off before going to bed or leaving the house.
Never smoke in bed. Replace mattresses made prior to the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard.
Keep flammable materials, such as drapes and clothing at least 3 feet away from your heater.
Don't overload electrical outlets.
Develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
In case of a fire, crawl or stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke. Get out. Stay Out.
DID YOU KNOW?
 Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at highest risk of dying in a home fire.
People age 65 to 75 are twice as likely as the general population; 75 to 85 are three times as likely; and 85 plus are four and one-half times as likely to be killed in a house fire.
Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chances of dying in a fire by nearly half.
ELECTRICAL FIRES WERE THE LEADING CAUSE OF FIRE DEATHS TO OLDER ADULTS
Electrical fires caused 1/3 of the fire deaths to older adults.
Never overload electrical outlets. Power strips may allow you to plug more than one appliance into an outlet, but only one at a time should be turned on!
Follow all manufacturer's instructions when using extension cords.
SMOKING WAS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF FIRE DEATHS
Smoking caused 2 of the 15 senior fire deaths that took place in homes. An alarming trend is fires resulting in critical injuries and deaths started when people smoke while someone is using a home oxygen system.
Do not leave smoking materials unattended. Never smoke in bed. If you begin to feel drowsy while watching television or reading, extinguish your cigarette or cigar before you nod off. Better yet, try to quit!
13% of seniors that died in 2005 fires did not have a working smoke detector!
Of the 15 senior deaths, 13% died in their homes where either no detectors were present or detectors were present but did not operate. 33% were undetermined.
Install smoke detectors on every level and outside each sleeping area. If you cannot install one yourself, call a friend or your local fire department.
Replace the batteries twice a year and test each one once a month. Detectors themselves need to be replaced every 10 years.
47% of detectors did work; detectors cannot guarantee escape, they can only provide early warning. It is important to make and practice a home escape plan.
Keep these three essential items by your bedside: your eyeglasses, telephone, and a whistle. Eyeglasses will help you see and to avoid injury as you escape the fire; the whistle will alert other household members to the fire and rescuers to your location; and the telephone will allow you to phone for help if you cannot escape by door.
COOKING LEADING CAUSE OF FIRE INJURY TO SENIORS
Seniors were at the greatest risk for cooking injuries, 43% of all fire injuries to seniors were from cooking fires.
Wear short of tightfitting sleeves when cooking. Loose sleeves easily catch fire.
Stand by your pan! Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while you are cooking, take a potholder or cooking spoon with you as a reminder.
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