Town of Hamlin Office of the Fire Marshal

Fire Facts

The following information will help you identify and eliminate potential fire hazards from your home. And in the event of a fire, help you and your family safely escape, and minimize fire damage.

• Remove combustible and flammable materials that are stored near any heat source such as a Furnace, Hot Water Heater, Space Heater or Stove.
• Do not overload electric outlets or extension cords  Do not run extension cords under rugs, through holes in the wall or under doors  Replace old damaged and frayed extension cords.
• Replace fuses with the correct size. Never use a larger fuse than the one you replaced.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. 
• Have smoke detector on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. 
• Test your smoke detectors regularly and replace the battery twice a year when  you change your clocks. Never remove the battery from a smoke detector for  any reason.
• Develop an escape plan from every room in your home. Make sure all family  members know the plan and practice it.
• If you use candles, be extremely careful. Do not leave them unattended, and  do not leave them lit after you go to bed. 
• Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned at least annually.
• Never smoke in bed. 
• Make sure there are no smoldering butts when you empty ash trays. 
• Check furniture after a party for smoldering cigarette butts which could cause a fire while you sleep. 
• Properly dispose of ashes from your wood burning stove or fireplace in a metal container stored outside away from the home.
• To stop grease fires on the stove, never use water! Cover the fire with a pan lid and turn off the burner.
• Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the road. 
• Make sure that any fire hydrants near your home are clear of any snow, weeds and grass.
• If you have to call 911, stay calm and answer all the questions asked of you and do not hang up until the 911 operator hangs up. 
• Close doors as you leave the building this will slow the progress of the fire  and possibly isolate it for a short time. 
• Everyone in your home should sleep with their doors closed to help protect them from the smoke and hot gasses of a fire. This simple act can save your life. 
• Place additional smoke detectors in each bedroom so that occupants would be  protected with the bedroom door closed.

See Also:

• Smoke Detectors
  Did you know that most fire deaths occur in the home?
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• Top 10 Home Fire Safety Tips
• Plan your escape from a fire in your home
• Fire Facts
  Information that will help you identify and eliminate potential fire hazards.

Lee Nettnin
Fire Marshal
(585)964-8181
hamlinceo@gmail.com