• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, including the basement. Be sure to place smoke alarms near rooms where people sleep. 
   
• Test all of your smoke alarms every month to ensure that they work properly.
   
• Use smoke alarms equipped with lithium-powered, long-life batteries and hush buttons to quickly stop nuisance alarms caused by steam, rising heat, oven smoke, or other causes. 
   
• If long-life smoke alarms are not available, install smoke alarms that use regular batteries and replace the batteries every year. To help you remember this annual task change your batteries when you change your clocks to standard time in the fall.
   
• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable objects, such as potholders and towels; and avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking. 
   
• Do not smoke in bed. Never leave burning cigarettes unattended. Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trash can. Keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains. 
   
• Portable space heaters should not be placed near flammable materials, like drapes. 
   
• Make a family fire escape plan and practice it every six months. Include in the plan, at least two different escape routes from each room for each family member. Designate a safe place in front of the house or apartment building for family members to meet after escaping a fire. 
   
• Install fire sprinklers in your home. They can be effective fire suppressant devices. Fire sprinklers can be retrofitted to existing homes or installed during the construction of new housing. 

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