Fire Prevention
Home fires can start and spread quickly, which is why we all need to be careful and educated when it comes to fire safety. Just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family.
Eighty-seven percent of all fire-related deaths are due to home fires, which spread rapidly and can leave families as little as two minutes to escape once an alarm sounds.

Top Tips
  1. Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. They are a critical first step for staying safe, but in order to be effective, they have to be working properly. For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.
  2. Teach kids never to play with matches and lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children.
  3. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. The kids will love it. Here’s a handy worksheet to help get you started. 
  4. Children should know how to respond to the sound of a smoke alarm. Teach them to get low and get out when they hear it. A child who is coached properly ahead of time will have a better chance to be safe. Watch this video to learn more.
  5. Use common sense in the kitchen. Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stove top unattended.
  6. Blow out candles before you leave the room or before you go to sleep.
  7. Be careful when cooking. Keep the handles of pots and pans turned in toward the center of the stove so that they can't be knocked or pulled over.
  8. Don't wear loose clothing when cooking, so that it doesn't catch fire.
  9. If grease catches on fire, carefully cover the pan with lid to smother the flames, then turn off the burner.
  10. Never put foil or other metals in a microwave oven.
  11. Never leave space heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.
  12. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed.
  13. Don't overload extension cords or run them under rugs.
  14. Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. You should use large, deep ashtrays for smokers and put butts out with water before throwing them away.
  15. If there's a fire and you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest safe exit.
  16. Keep cords away from children.
  17. Keep cords away from water.
  18. Never allow an electrical appliance or its cord to come in contact with water.
  19. Don't use an appliance that smells funny or produces smoke.
  20. Replace damaged cords.
  21. Don't put too many plugs into one outlet or use more than two extension cords.
  22. Don't place cords under rugs.
  23. Keep flammable items away from light bulbs.
  24. Keep space heaters 3 feet away from flammable items such as rugs, pillows, and window treatments.
  25. Don't leave the room with the space heater on.
  26. Refuel kerosene heaters outside only, with kerosene only, when the unit is cool.
  27. Use a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace.
  28. Don't have rugs, papers, or wood near the fireplace or wood stove.
  29. Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney every year.
  30. Keep a fire extinguisher in a convenient spot.
  31. Throw ashes only into metal cans.
  32. Don't allow anything to touch the hot water heater or furnace.
  33. Clean and inspect the dryer lint trap after each load of laundry.
  34. If your basement gets flooded, turn off electrical circuits before getting your feet wet.
  35. Garage and Grill
  36. Don't keep gasoline anywhere near your house. It should be only in an UN-attached garage or shed.
  37. Fill gas motors outside only.
  38. Don't start your lawnmower or snow blower near the gas container or fumes.
  39. Don't put gasoline on a grill.
  40. Don't add lighter fluid to a lit fire.
  41. Use gas grills only outside.
  42. Make sure you have water or sand nearby to put out a fire.
Does Your Family Have An Emergency Exit Plan?
  • Create a fire escape plan. Make sure it explains how you'll exit the house and where you'll meet.
  • Find two ways to get out of each room.
  • Plan a safe way to get to the ground from every room.
  • Pick a meeting place at a safe distance from the house, such as a neighbor's house or mailbox. Plan to gather there if you've had to escape from a fire.
  • Practice the plan. Hold family fire drills twice a year.
Download and Fill Out
Your Emergency Plan
create_plan.pdf
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Content on this page is from Safe Kids Worldwide, US Fire Administration, FEMA, Ready.Gov.
“I have been a member of the Glen Rock Ambulance Corps since September of 2019. I joined the Glen Rock Ambulance Corps because even though our lives can get quite chaotic, I believe it is important to have some form of altruistic nature mixed in with the craziness. Glen Rock has provided me with such an opportunity. Since the day I joined, I have had the pleasure to ride with different members of all ages which provided me with not only experience, but also the opportunity to learn from one another. Personally, the best part is that all the members have their own unique occupations and hobbies. As for what I do, I recently graduated from Seton Hall University with a Biology degree in pursuit of a further M.D. or D.O. degree in either the civilian or military sector.”
John Pagios
Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps
201-444-9795
president@grvac.org
The Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps
Federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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