• Avoid leaving food unattended when cooking.
• Pay special attention to hot grease or oil.
• Always supervise children in this kitchen.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Never use water on a grease fire! Salt or baking soda can  be used to extinguish a fire or smother a fire in a pan by putting a lid on it.

Wood/Coal/Pellet Stoves or Fireplace Inserts

• Make sure your stove or insert has a “UL” label on it.
• Make sure your stove was installed properly by a contractor, according to NFPA standards for proper clearances, floor covering, wall covering, flue and chimney.
• Your chimney should be cleaned regularly, especially at the beginning of the cold weather season.
• Never use homemade stoves, which are a common cause of fires.
• Don’t install or use stoves in a garage; they can contact combustible materials more readily.

Candles/Potpourri Burners

• Burn candles and potpourri only when you are in the room.
• Keep open flames away from curtains and other combustible materials.

Outside Burning and Bonfires

• Don’t start open fires when the ground and surrounding vegetation is dry.
• Large brush piles shouldn’t be burned when winds are stronger than a gentle breeze.
• Always have a strong water source ready in case a fire begins to get out of control.
• Stay with the fire at all times!
• When finished, rake through the ashes to ensure that all coals are cooled.

Other Considerations

• Install lightning rods to reduce possibility of fire by lightning strike.
• Be sure that your home’s wiring is updated and able to handle electrical loads.
• Don’t overload circuits. Breakers trip and fuses blow when overloaded.
• If you have an older heating system, get it checked by a professional for safety.