Fire Safety
Home Safety Checklist:
- Check smoke detectors ONCE A MONTH. A good ‘rule of thumb’ is to replace the batteries every time Daylight Savings Time ends and begins.
- If you use electric heaters during the winter time, make sure that they are at least 3’ away from anything flammable.
- Never leave an electric space heater on when you are not at home or when you are asleep.
- Always use fire place screens in front of your wood-burning fire places to prevent embers from jumping out.
- Have a family emergency plan in place! Make sure everyone knows where to meet after exiting the house. Practice often, even at night – make a family event out of it, make it fun!
- Make sure fire extinguishers are always handy. Everyone in your family should where they are located and how to use them. NOTE: The best fire extinguisher for household emergencies is an ABC Extinguisher. Learn more about selecting your fire extinguisher by CLICKING HERE.
- Remove any security bars from the outside of windows. These can block vital exits during an emergency.
- If you know of elderly people in your neighborhood or in your home, make sure that they can have
- Contact the Alcorn County 911 Office and make sure that your household information is updated. 911 records vital information such as how many people live in your residence, any medical problems that you may have and any potential hazards surrounding your home.
- Make sure that your house number is posted on BOTH SIDES of you mailbox or yard sign. The letters should be in a sharply contrasting color, at least 3" tall and reflective so it can be easily seen by responders at night.
- Ensure that all electrical outlets and cabinets are secured when you have an infant living in your home.
- Clean you lint trap out of your clothes dryer EVERY TIME and never leave the house with your dryer turned on.
- Secure all poisons out of reach of children and in a safe place.
- Never use flamable liquids like gasoline to light a fire - especially outside fires.
- Do not leave outside fires unattended. Watch for current burn bans and its not a bad idea to contact the Alcorn County 911 Office to notify them of any large fires that you are setting. Motorist from nearby roadways may see the fire and think that it is a wildfire. By notifiying 911, you will prevent the dispatch of fire departments to your controlled burn.