Cigarette Safety: Simple Fire Safety Tips

Did You Know that 80% of all fire deaths occur in the home? Careless smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths.

The most common material first ignited in home smoking-related fires is trash, followed by mattresses, bedding and upholstered furniture. Having a working smoke alarm more than doubles your chances of surviving a fire.

Kidde has compiled some simple fire tips that can boost survival rates dramatically.

Smoke Alarm Installation and Maintenance

Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. It's crucial to test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year to ensure they are functioning properly.

Fire Extinguishers

Keep an extinguisher in every part of your home where a fire might occur, especially in the kitchen, living room, laundry room, and bedroom. This ensures you are prepared to handle any fire emergencies promptly.

Smoking Safety

Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn. Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy, intoxicated, or medicated. Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays to prevent ashes from spilling onto furniture and check them frequently. Do not rest ashtrays on sofas or chairs.

Ash Disposal

Empty ashtrays into the toilet or an airtight metal container. Warm ashes dumped in trash cans can smolder for hours and then ignite. Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away.

Smoking Outside

Encourage smokers to smoke outside. Do not allow smoking in a home where an oxygen tank is in use. When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep lighters and matches out of reach of young children, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Fire-Safe Cigarettes

If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. These are designed to reduce the risk of starting a fire.

Unattended Smoking Materials

Don't leave cigarettes, cigars, or pipes unattended. Be sure to check on the floor and around chair cushions for ashes that may have been dropped accidentally by visiting friends or relatives. This ensures that any potential fire hazards are addressed promptly.

_{Sources: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)}