MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Fire safe home

Medical Encyclopedia

Fire safe home

Fires can be very dangerous and deadly. Several fire safety measures can be used to help prevent serious injury or death during a fire. First, keep fire extinguishers in handy locations and keep one extinguisher on each level of the home. Also, install smoke detectors in hallways, sleeping areas, the kitchen, and garage. Test them once a month and change the batteries regularly. Finally, establish fire escape routes from every room in your house and teach family members what to do in case of a fire.

Update Date: 7/18/2007

Updated by: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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