- Make it a habit to unplug all counter appliances when not in use.
- Store cigarette lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
- Practice home fire drills regularly. Make them realistic. Pretend that some escape routes are blocked by smoke or fire and practice using alternate exits.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector. They are especially useful in the newer energy-efficient homes with tight weather seals.
- Don't use an outdoor grill or charcoal grill indoors. (Don't laugh, it happens!
- Test your smoke detector monthly to make sure it's operable.
- If your smoke detector is battery-operated or has a batter backup system, change the batteries twice a year.