ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, February 5, 1996               TAG: 9602050014
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-1  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HANCOCK  

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

So far this year, seven people in Western Virginia have been killed in house fires.

Most fatal fires start in the home, and more than half of all fatal home fires occur while people are sleeping. Here are some fire safety tips for the home provided by the Roanoke Fire Department:

SMOKE DETECTORS

Place smoke detectors near bedrooms and on every floor of your home.

Test smoke detectors once a month. Keep extra batteries.

Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

An A-B-C, or multi-purpose fire extinguisher, is effective on most small fires in the home.

Use extinguishers properly: aim at the base of a fire and sweep back and forth.

Do not attempt to fight large fires.

HEATERS

Keep space heaters at least three feet from all combustibles and where they will not be knocked over easily.

Plug heaters directly into the wall socket: Do not use extension cords with space heaters.

Fill kerosene heaters only with K-1 Kerosene and refuel only when they are cool.

FIREPLACES AND WOODSTOVES

Always use a protective screen.

Never burn green wood, artificial logs or trash: only use seasoned wood.

Have your fireplace cleaned once a year.

ELECTRICAL WIRING

Replace wiring that is frayed or cracked.

Do not place wiring under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas.

Do not overload outlets and avoid exposed wiring.

IN THE KITCHEN

Do not leave food unattended on the stove.

Keep appliances clean and free of grease and crumbs.

Make sure the stove is off and small appliances are unplugged before going to bed.

SAFE SMOKING HABITS

Never smoke in bed.

Use sturdy ashtrays and keep them away from upholstered furniture and curtains.

Do not leave burning cigarettes unattended.

PLAN OF ESCAPE

Practice your escape route from a home fire.

Know two ways out of every room, especially bedrooms.

Purchase safety ladders for upstairs bedrooms.

PRECAUTIONS FOR PARENTS

Keep matches out of reach of children.

Store flammable liquids properly and away from children.

Never leave young children alone with an open flame.

LENGTH: Medium:   73 lines
ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:  5 graphics by Robert Lunsford. color.