Home Safety Tips From Fire Departments

P.L. 93-498

• Congress created Public Law 93-498, the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, in 1974. This act was created in response to the loss of citizens and firefighters that died in 1971 and for the loss of property that resulted from fires during this same year. Parts of this bill started research and training programs and fire safety codes that were presented to fire departments to inform the public about fire safety and hazards.

Los Angeles

• According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, they are one of the world's premiere fire fighting departments and they provide the residents of the greater Los Angeles area with information about smoke detectors, holiday fire prevention and candle safety. Some of their safety tips for local residents include planning escape routes in the event of a fire, encouraging residents not to smoke in bed and how to safely use electricity. They also inform the residents of LA County about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning within the home.

Boston

• Boston's fire departments offer safety tips to residents that help to reduce or eliminate dangers that could possibly lead to the start of a fire. Some of the information that they provide to residents include keeping children from around the stove or oven, removing combustible materials from basements and attics and how to properly secure and store flammable substances such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and some paints. They also educate residents about the safe use of fire places and how to properly maintain chimneys.

New York

• The New York Fire Department helps residents understand the dangers associated with fire by informing them about various fire-related hazards that are common within their environment. Winter fire safety is a big concern since 33 percent of all fires that occur within this city happen during this season. FDNY educates residents about the proper use of clothes dryers, electric blankets and using special appliances (such as turkey fryers) during the winter months. New York is also a city that contains many apartments and fires started within these structures has the ability to quickly spread and endanger many lives. They persuade residents to know their buildings escape routes and they discourage the use of window security gates since they pose a significant fire hazard. FNDY also provides a general set of fire safety tips for the home and they are called the "FDNY's Top Seven Fire Safety Rules."