Health Tip: Have a Fire Escape Plan

A home fire is reported every 86 seconds, the U.S. National Safety Council says. Cooking equipment is the primary cause of fires, followed by heating equipment, smoking, electrical problems and children playing with matches and candles.

The agency offers this advice to help keep your home safe from fire:

• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms at home. Change the batteries at least once a year.
• Plan and practice an escape route, and determine a meeting place outside the home.
• Identify two ways out of every room.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and learn how to use it.
• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll.
• When evacuating, if door handles are hot, choose an alternate escape route.
• Leave your home and call for help. Do not go back inside.

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