Health Topics
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Summary
Preventing fires is an important part of fire safety. In the United States, cooking is the main cause of home fires. Cigarettes are a big risk too - they are the leading cause of fire deaths. Here are some fire prevention tips:
- Don't leave the stove or oven unattended when they are on
- Don't let children use kitchen appliances unsupervised
- Don't smoke in bed
- Make sure your electrical appliances and cords are in good condition
It is also important to be prepared in case there is a fire. Make sure that you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every bedroom. You should also have fire extinguishers on every floor and in your kitchen. Make and practice an escape plan in case the main exit is blocked.
Learn More
- Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist (American Red Cross) - PDF
- Fire Safety (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Fireworks (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- Fireworks Safety (National Fire Protection Association) Also in Spanish
- Home Fires (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
- Medical Oxygen Safety (National Fire Protection Association)
- Preventing House Fires (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- United States Fire Administration
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.