Fire

Fire Prevention

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your residence, outside bedrooms, at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near the kitchen.
• Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least twice a year. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Review escape routes with your family and practice escaping from each room.
• Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.
• Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level.
• Make sure anti-burglary devices installed on windows can be easily opened from the inside.
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when evacuating.
• Review your homeowner or renter insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent to ensure coverage is adequate.

Escaping A Fire

• If you come to a closed door, check it for heat with the back of your hand.  Check the top, bottom, doorknob and any cracks.
• Do not open a hot door.  Use a window.
• If the door is cool, open it slowly and check your escape route. If it’s clear, leave immediately and close the door behind you.
• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit – heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
• Stay out once you are safely out. Do not re-enter. Call 911.
• If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.

After A Fire

• Unfortunately, even with preparation fires can happen.  So what do you do now?

• The following booklet will give you a bit of helpful information that you can use when tragedy strikes.

• It includes helpful numbers, what to do in the first 24 hours following the fire, replacements of documents and records, salvaging, money replacement, and questions about fire department operations.

Email smokealarm@fauquiercounty.gov, call (540) 422-8800 or fill out the form at the link below to request smoke alarms for your home.

https://arcg.is/0GSzyy

Make a home fire escape plan: If there is a fire in your home, you could have less than 2 minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.  

Video: Make a home fire escape plan https://youtu.be/43k4hjjAU1w

Test your smoke alarms each month

Make sure your smoke alarms work. Your family is not safe if they can’t hear the smoke alarms.