Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. When cooking for guests, don’t let yourself be distracted. Keep an eye on those pots.
Smoking is another leading cause of home fire deaths. If you smoke, smoke outside. Keep a small bucket of water outside and drop cigarette butts in directly. If you or your guests smoke indoors, provide plenty of large, deep, sturdy ashtrays and check them frequently. Douse cigarette butts with water before discarding them in the trash where they can smolder and cause a fire. After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering. Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
And, don’t forget to let your guests know what your fire escape plan is.
For more information on fire safety, visit www.nfpa.org
