In the past two months, there have been several house fires in the 40th Ward. We’re sharing information from the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) on how to protect your home against fire—and what to do in case a fire does break out.
Home Fire Safety Checklist
Here are a few basic fire safety tips to keep in mind:
- Install and properly maintain smoke detectors throughout the house, and make sure to test them regularly. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years.
- Keep an ABS dry chemical fire extinguisher handy, and make sure you know how to use it. In the event that you have to use it, follow the manufacturer’s inspection recommendations and recharge after each use.
- Develop a family fire escape plan and practice it every few months (more on that below!).
- Clean any flammable rubbish (e.g. old paper, oily rags, magazines, and furniture) out of your basement, attic, and garage.
- Keep gasoline and other flammable liquids stored in approved containers, in the garage outside of your home.
- Use the proper fuses in your fuse box.
- Check the insulation on all electrical cords, as well as plugs and receptacles.
- Keep matches and lighters safely stored away from small children.
- Keep your chimney clean and use a fire screen with your fireplace.
- Space heaters must be well shielded and well-ventilated. Keep them out of traffic paths and away from furniture and curtains.
- Sleep with your doors closed. Most fires happen at night when people are sleeping, and keeping doors closed can protect you from smoke inhalation.
- If you smoke, use large ashtrays and make sure all smoking materials have been extinguished before getting rid of the ashes
Smoke Detectors
Smoke Detectors can save your life—especially if a fire breaks out at night, when everyone is sleeping. It’s important to properly maintain your smoke detectors and test them regularly.
- Smoke detectors should be installed within 15 feet of every bedroom or sleeping area. Since smoke rises, they should be placed on the ceiling, or the wall just below the ceiling. If you have a multi-level home, they should be placed on each floor, and the first floor should be placed on the ceiling at the base of the stairwell.
- Do not install a detector near air vents, air conditioners, or fans, which may blow the smoke away from the detector.
- Test your smoke detectors every 30 days, by triggering the test button.
Building owners must provide required smoke alarms, replace them if they fail or reach the end of their service life, and test smoke alarms in common areas (e.g. laundry rooms, hallways, and stairwells) regularly.
If you live in a building in Chicago that does not have working smoke alarms, contact 3‑1‑1 to file a building violation complaint. In residential rental buildings, the Department of Buildings will investigate; building owners face fines of $500 to $2,000 per day, per violation, if they do not provide working smoke alarms, regardless of the reason.
Cooking Fires
Cooking, especially when it involves grease, is one of the leading causes of fire in the home. While kitchen fires seldom result in death, they can cause injuries and property damage. Here’s how to avoid kitchen fires:
- Pay attention when cooking, especially when using oil or grease. Don’t overheat grease or oil, and watch any overflows, which can start fires. If you have to leave the stove to answer the phone or doorbell, turn down the heat. If you’ll be gone for more than a few minutes, turn it off.
- Don’t leave towels or napkins on or near the stove. Don’t wear garments with loose fabrics—especially those with loose, floppy sleeves—while cooking.
- Keep a Class ABC dire extinguisher in or near the kitchen. An ABC rating indicates that the fire extinguisher can be used on fires involving grease, paper towels, electrical appliances, and other materials commonly found in the kitchen.
- If you experience a grease fire and it is small, you may be able to stop it with a handful of baking soda. Do not use baking powder, which contains flour or starch and could spread the fire. Never use water on a grease fire; it increases the chance of a grease fire getting out of hand.
- Always have a pot lid handy to smother any small grease fires.
- Don’t try to move or carry a pan in which there is a grease fire. Even though moving the pan is a common reaction, it often results in burns and additional fire damage.
- If the fire is large, do not try to fight it—call 911.
Fire Preparation
Even with the best preparation, house fires can happen. That’s why it’s important to know what to do if a fire breaks out in your home.
- Have an escape plan. Make sure all members of the family know the fastest escape routes out of their bedroom and from each room of the house, and that you have a pre-arranged meeting place in the event you have to evacuate.
- Make sure all windows and screens can be easily opened. Windows typically make the best alternate escape routes, so make sure they can be opened and exited through safely, and that you have identified safe exit routes for any higher floors.
- As soon as smoke or fire is detected, exit the house.
- If you wake up to find smoke seeping from under your door, feel the door. If it is cool, open it cautiously, and be ready to slam it closed in the event that smoke or heat comes in. If it’s hot, use an alternate escape route, such as a window.
- If you are caught in smoke, get down on the floor and crawl. Take short breaths, breathing through your nose.
- If you have to escape through a window and there is no fire escape, look for porch or shed roofs that may provide a pathway to safety. Don’t jump! Call for help, and stay at the window.
- As soon as you are out of the house, call 9-1-1 to report the fire. Give the address slowly and clearly, and don’t hang up until your message is confirmed.
- Once you are out of the house, stay out. Gather at the pre-arranged meeting place to make sure everyone is accounted for.
For more information, contact the Chicago Fire Department Public Education Bureau at 312-747-6691, or reach out to our office!