Did you know that unsafe cooking, children playing with fire, improperly discarded smoking materials, candles and electrical malfunctions are some of the leading causes of accidental fires in Austin homes?

Yes or No? Do You . . .

  •     have working smoke alarms installed in your home? AFD recommends a smoke alarm on every level, in every bedroom, and in the halls outside of sleeping areas. (see Smoke Alarms)
  •     keep your stovetop, hood above the stove, and oven grease-free?
  •     turn off the stove when you leave?
  •     keep potholders, towels, and other materials that could burn away from the stove?
  •     keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children?
  •     keep all your electrical cords in good repair? Warm cords and tripped circuit breakers may indicate overloaded circuits, which can cause fires.
  •     have no more than two appliances plugged in to any outlet or any one extension cord?
  •     keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls, newspapers, clothing, and other materials that could burn?
  •     keep water heater and furnace closets free of newspapers, supplies and storage material?
  •     have gasoline and other flammable liquids safely stored away from ignition sources such as the water heater?
  •     have your house number visible from the street?
  •     have all windows and doors needed for escape in good repair?
  •     have escape releases on any burglar bars?
  •     clean the dryer lint trap after every use?
  •     have large, deep ashtrays to prevent smoking materials from falling out?
  •     completely extinguish smoking materials before going to bed or leaving home?
  •     extinguish candles before going to bed or leaving home?

Gas Leak

If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call 911 from a neighbor's home. Do not turn on any lights, appliances, etc., in your home. Always have a licensed plumber deal with any repairs involving your gas lines.