What can I do to prevent a fire in my home?
The best way of surviving a fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips:

	Keep your home free of oily rags and trash build-up. Gasoline and other flammable liquids should be stored in approved metal safety cans.
	Cleaning materials should be kept in a ventilated area, away from any heat source. Vapors given off by these substances can ignite when they come in contact with a heat source, such as a pilot light.
	Check lamps, appliance cords and light switches to make sure there is no faulty wiring. Never overload electrical circuits.
	Allow adequate ventilation space around televisions, stereos and other entertainment equipment.
	Teach your children not to play with matches. Keep matches in a closed metal container away from heat sources and out of the reach of children.
	Never smoke in bed. Carelessly discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.
	Remove all weeds, tree branches and litter from your yard.
	If you have a fireplace, make sure it is properly screened and install a spark arrestor with at least a half-inch mesh on the chimney.
	Daily household trash should be kept in a covered can away from any heat source. Recycle newspapers frequently.
	Be a careful cook. Never wear long sleeves when you cook -- they can catch fire. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward, so the pots can't be knocked over. Never put foil or other metals in a microwave oven.