Clark County Fire & Rescue — Public Education

General fire safety

Make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. For maximum protection, place an alarm in each bedroom/sleeping area.
Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are working. (Include your children in the testing so they begin to recognize the sound.) If your alarm is "chirping", replace the battery.
Create and practice a home fire escape plan! Determine two ways out of every room and identify an outside meeting place. Click here to learn more about creating a home fire escape plan.
Educate children about the dangers of playing with lighters, matches, and fire.
Teach your child how to call for help in emergencies and reward their understanding of fire safety.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it. Click here for detailed fire extinguisher information.
If you should have a pan fire while cooking, slide a lid or cookie sheet over the pan from the side, and turn off the heat source. If the fire is in the oven, keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat.

Furnace Safety

Inspect and clean your furnace prior to each heating season.
Follow appliance directions for oiling motors and checking drive belts and replace worn belts as necessary.
If you can't locate appliance instructions or are unsure of how to maintain or service your unit, contact a professional furnace service company to assist you.
Periodically inspect and replace furnace filters to ensure the efficiency of your system.
Keep combustible items such as boxes, flammable liquids, newspapers, etc., at least three feet away from the pilot light of a gas furnace.

Portable Heaters

Use only Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved portable heaters and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Never use kerosene, propane, or other outdoor-use heaters indoors. They may start a fire and there is a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make sure your portable heater has a "tip switch" which automatically shuts off the heater in the event the unit is knocked over.
Many units have exposed surfaces which become very hot. Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from combustibles such as bedding, furniture, and/or drapes.
Keep children and pets away from all portable heaters.
Never dry clothes or shoes by placing them on top of a heating unit.
Always turn off space heaters when you go to bed or leave your home.
Never use an electric heater near water, such as in a bathroom.
Do not plug other devices into an outlet used by an electric space heater.
Finally, portable heaters are temporary heating units for single rooms; don't try to heat an entire house with them.