Jody Craig may be a retired fireman, but he will never retire his message of fire safety.
“Constantly educate your loved ones on how to call for help and what to do in a fire or medical emergency,” says Jody, Senior Security Business Partner at GE Appliances. “Your life is way more important than any belonging.”
Jody, whose career as a fireman spanned 30 years, saw too many accidents that could have been avoided so he honors Fire Prevention and Safety Day (October 9) with a reminder to all of us: Spend time learning the sounds of the fire alarms in your home and understand the tips that could save your life.
Today, listen to the noises of your home’s fire and carbon monoxide alarms. If someone in your home has physical disabilities, make sure the alarms in your house meet their needs. Once your alarms are all set, sear these 10 tips into your memory.
Do
- Set up an escape plan and review it with your family. According to Stanford Children’s Hospital, at least one child dies from a home fire every day. Make sure your kids know exactly what to do.
- Keep bedroom doors closed when you are sleeping. It slows down the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your home.
- Put out grease fires correctly. Sprinkle baking soda or salt on it from above, not from the side.
- Always plug appliances directly into a wall outlet.
- Have your chimney swept once a year.
- Frequently check space heater cords for cracks and plug them directly into an outlet. Remember to turn them off when you leave the room.
Don’t
- Leave a candle burning unattended.
- Use an extension cord when plugging in refrigerators, stoves, washers, and dryers.
- Use water or any other kind of liquid on a grease fire.
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