1. Install and Test Smoke Alarms
   Ensuring the presence of operational smoke detectors offers crucial early warnings and the opportunity for a safe escape. It is advisable to install smoke alarms on every floor of your residence, including within sleeping quarters and just outside them. For optimal effectiveness, position smoke alarms on ceilings or high up on walls. To minimize false alarms, it's important to keep smoke detectors away from the kitchen area.
   
   Schedule monthly checks to test the functionality of all smoke alarms. For individuals who are hard-of-hearing or deaf, specialized alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers are available to provide timely alerts.
   
   Lastly, take note of the manufacturer's date on the back of the alarm and replace all smoke detectors once they reach the 10-year mark.
   
   
2.  Create and Practice a Home Escape Plan
   Gather all members of your household to formulate an escape strategy. Conduct a thorough walkthrough of your residence, meticulously assessing all potential exits and escape routes. For families with children, it is advisable to create a visual floor plan of your home, clearly indicating two exit options for each room, encompassing both windows and doors.
   
   Select an outdoor meeting point situated at a secure distance in front of your home. This meeting place will serve as the assembly point for everyone once they have successfully exited the house.
   
   To ensure preparedness, practice your escape plan during daylight hours and again at night, at least twice a year. Learn more about escape plans from the National Fire Protection Association.
   
   
3. Complete a Home Fire Safety Checklist
   Download a home Fire Safety Checklist (PDF) to double-check that your home has working equipment, safety plans, and other fire-safe practices. Make sure everyone in your home knows how to prevent fire and what to do in the event of a fire.
   
   
4. Create Family Communications Plan
   Developing a family emergency communication strategy begins with a fundamental question: "What if?" What if there's a fire? What if a natural disaster strikes? These plans are designed to ensure that in the event of such scenarios, you and your family are well-prepared to establish contact with each other and designate a safe meeting point. Create your plan online here.
   
   
5. Register for ArapAlert
   In Arapahoe County, ArapAlert utilizes the CodeRed system to allow Public Safety Agencies to warn citizens/residents/visitors of danger and other important information. With ArapAlert, the agencies can call, text or email multiple individuals and businesses to warn of dangerous suspects, flood, fire, or chemical spills.
   
   
   

The primary sources of residential fires typically stem from cooking, heating, electrical issues, smoking, and the use of candles. Fortunately, there are several safety measures we can adopt to mitigate the associated risks in these areas. It's important to keep in mind that fire safety begins with the presence of operational smoke alarms and regular practice of an escape plan.

In the unfortunate event of a fire within your home, the key is to immediately evacuate. Once outside, do not re-enter the building for any reason and promptly call for assistance. Your safety hinges on the principle of "GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP."

1. Cooking
   Unattended cooking tops the list of home fire causes. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and keep flammable items away. For grease fires, smother flames with a lid. For oven fires, turn off heat and keep the door closed. If in doubt, exit and call 911.
   
   
2. Heating
   Maintain a three-foot clearance around heating sources. Ensure annual cleaning and inspections. Turn off portable heaters when unattended or sleeping.
   
   
3. Electrical
   Use qualified electricians, plug major appliances directly into outlets, and limit extension cord use. Address recurring issues or discolored outlets promptly.
   
   
4. Smoking
   Smoke outdoors, store materials safely, and use deep, non-flammable ashtrays. Extinguish cigarettes fully before disposal and never leave charging e-cigarettes unattended.
   
   
5. Candles
   Extinguish candles before leaving or sleeping. Keep candles away from flammables, use sturdy holders, and consider flameless alternatives.

• Smoke Alarms:
  • Install alarms on every home level, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test monthly. For assistance with battery changes, acquiring alarms, or installation help, schedule a home safety visit.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector:
  • Place CO detectors outside sleeping areas and on every level. Test monthly, replace per manufacturer's instructions. If it alarms, move outdoors, call for help, and wait for clearance to re-enter.
• Fire Extinguishers:
  • Use when fire is small, everyone's out, fire department is called, and no smoke fills the room. Remember PASS: Pull pin, Aim low, Squeeze lever, Sweep side to side. Learn more about fire extinguishers from the National Fire Protections Association (NFPA).
• Sprinklers:
  • Home fire sprinklers respond quickly and effectively to fire, saving lives and property. If you have a reported fire in your home, the risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when sprinklers are present. Learn more about home fire sprinklers here.
• Radon:
  • Test your home to check for radon exposure risk, the second leading cause of lung cancer. Use radon test kits and follow guidelines for mitigation if needed. Learn more about radon from the CDC here.