Susan Murphy-Milano...

• Keep flammables, such as drapes and furniture, away from space and portable heaters.
• Hire a certified chimney sweep to regularly clean and inspect the chimney.
• Inspect heating equipment regularly for proper design, installation and operation.
• Follow manufacturer instructions when installing and filling liquid- and gas-fueled heaters.
• Never leave auxiliary heating equipment unattended.
• Never purchase a second hand space heater, buy a new one at the store.

• Don't overload wall outlets.
• Don't use fuses rated too high for your home’s circuits.
• Don't use frayed electrical cords.
• Don't run extension cords under rugs or furniture.

• Keep the stove clean and free of grease.
• Keep the handles of pots and pans turned inward.
• Keep all flammable material (including shirt sleeves) away from burners.
• Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires nearby.
• Never store flammable liquids in the kitchen.
• Never leave cooking unattended.

Since most fires start between midnight and 4 a.m., the key to survival is being awake and alert. Working smoke detectors can save members of your household.

• Install at least one smoke detector on each floor and one near each bedroom area.
• Check detectors regularly to make sure they are working.
• Change the batteries twice each year. An easy way to remember is to put in fresh batteries when you change the clocks in the spring and fall.

You can increase your chances of survival by creating a home escape plan and rehearsing it regularly. An escape plan should include multiple routes for leaving the home quickly with a designated spot for family members to meet.

While prevention is the best protection against fires, precautions can be taken to protect possessions. A fire resistant safe or filing cabinet can help protect important documents like deeds, mortgages, titles for cars and birth certificates. Computer disks, home videos and family photographs can also be kept safe this way – if you’re using a safe specifically designed for such heat-sensitive items. For added protection, make duplicates and store the copies away from home in a secure location.