Make sure you have smoke detectors in your home.  You should have one near your sleeping areas, and one on every floor.  Test there operation at least once a month and change the batteries twice a year.  (Hint, test your detector the same day every month, it becomes a habit.  Change your batteries when you change the time on your clocks in the spring and fall)

Practice E.D.I.T.H., Exit Drills In The Home.  Have a plan for escape in the event of fire including a safe meeting area outside.  Make sure once everyone is out to stay out! Ensure everyone in the house knows the drill and practice it often!

Do you have a Carbon Monoxide Detector?  Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that is very deadly.  A Carbon Monoxide Detector is cheap insurance that you and your loved ones are protected.

Have your emergency numbers and address posted near the telephone.  The number for police, fire and medical emergencies in this area is 911.  The dispatcher will want to know your name, telephone number and you street address.  Make sure that relatives that stay with you and the babysitter know it too!

Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.  Curiosity can be a killer....

Follow safe practices for wood burning appliances.  Have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.   Dispose of ashes in a safe manner.  Don't throw them in the trash or in a paper bag outside the house.  Make sure they are cold, and dispose of them in a safe area away from your home.

If you are vacationing in the area.  Take a few minutes with your family and get familiar with your surroundings.   Know the name, address, phone number and room number of where you are staying.   A little prevention makes for a safer vacation.

Other Tips

These tips may not be to prevent fires, but make our job much easier in the event of one.

Keep your driveways plowed!

Post your address number conspicuously near the road.  Post the number so it is visible coming from either direction to your home.  Make sure the letters are bright and legible.  If you have a mailbox at the end of your driveway, post them on either side of that, or a sign at the end of your driveway.

Keep yourself and your family members out of harms way.  When we arrive, stay in an area out of the way so we can position our fire apparatus and do our job.  When we arrive, tell one of our members if everyone is out and safe.