Fire Safety

Did you know

• Most fire fatalities and injuries in the U.S. occur in the victim’s own home
• Two-thirds of all home-fire victims die of smoke inhalation, poisonous gases, or lack of oxygen; not severe burns
• Cooking is the leading cause of all residential fires and fire injuries
• Heating equipment is the second leading cause of residential fires
• More than 40% of fatal home cooking fires occur while the victim(s) are sleeping
• Careless use of smoking materials is the leading cause of residential fires that result in death

Survival Tips

• Make sure your family has an escape plan. You can contact the Fire Prevention & Education Office at 217-384-2445 for more information on developing a plan.
• Sleep with the bedroom door closed. Closed doors provide protection against heat and smoke.
• Teach everyone in your household to recognize the sound of your smoke alarm.
• Test doors before opening them. You can easily be overcome by heat, smoke or flames when you open a door to an area where a fire has spread.
• Use windows as alternate exits.
• Crawl low under smoke. During a fire, super heated air and toxic gases fill the room from the top down. This leaves a "safety zone" of breathable air about 12 to 24 inches above the floor.
• Call 9-1-1. Unless you are trapped inside, it’s too dangerous to call from a burning home. Once you have escaped and reported to your meeting place, call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s telephone.
• If your clothes catch on fire: STOP, DROP, & ROLL !!!

Should you have any questions regarding fire safety or would like more information on any of these topics, please contact our Fire Prevention & Education Office at 217-384-2445 or email us at mcphillips@urbanaillinois.us.