10 Fire Safety Tips to Keep You and the Ones You Love Safe

Here at the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department, we strive to provide the very best fire suppression, emergency medical, technical rescue and water rescue services to the citizens and visitors of Woodbridge, Virginia and Prince William County. In addition to these services, it’s our goal to educate our community about fire prevention.

Think back to when you were young. Did you attend a fire safety day at school or meet firefighters at community events? From a very early age, we would bet that at least one fire safety rule has stayed with you. Maybe it was the famous and life-saving “Stop, drop and roll,” or perhaps “Get low and go.” Lessons like these are essential for children to learn from a young age to keep them safe in the event of an emergency. And these same safety rules can save adult lives, too.

Here are a few more safety tips to help you and your loved ones prevent fires and to know what to do in the event of an emergency.

• Cook with care. Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of house fires and home fire injuries? Most of these are preventable by simply being more aware and focused as you cook. Never leave a stove or oven unattended when in use, and keep your counters clear while operating the stove. Young children should never be around these heated areas, especially unattended!
• Use extension cords and outlets properly. Don’t overload outlets and cords with too many items plugged in. This simple rule can prevent many fires.
• Practice candle safety. Never keep objects near a candle. There should be free space of at least one foot in all directions around a burning candle.
• Smoke detectors are recommended to be tested once a month. Detectors save lives. Check your batteries monthly, and be sure you have smoke detectors outside of all sleeping areas and near the kitchen.
• Know your evacuation plan. No matter where you are — home, work or school — you should be aware of the safest and fastest exit plan. At home, set up a meeting place for you and your family. School evacuation plans should include designated meeting spots. At work, be aware of your building’s fire exits, they should be clearly labeled.
• Hold fire drills. Be sure you participate in fire drills at work and school. Stage your own fire drills at home to remind your family of what to do.
• Get out quick. When there’s a fire emergency, you must stay focused on getting out. We know you want to save possessions, but most items are replaceable. You and your family are not.
• Test doors before opening. Test doors with the back of your hand, not your fingertips or palms. Check the top, sides, doorknob and door frame. If a door feels hot, do not open it. Move on to your backup exit plan.

• Remember Fire Safety Rules from grade school. Since smoke rises, you’ll breathe in less smoke if you’re down low. And remember to stop, drop, cover your face and roll if your clothes catch on fire.

• Don’t use elevators. In emergencies, always use the stairs! You may not know where the fires are, so traveling by foot is the safest option.

Call 911 as soon as you are out safely. While on the phone, take account of everyone who has made it out. If someone is missing, tell this to the 911 dispatcher along with information of where they could be in your home. If you don’t see a way out, call 911 from where you are, and give the dispatcher your exact location. Be sure to seal the bottom of your doorway with a towel or other cloth to keep smoke from billowing in.

When it comes to teaching about fire safety, OWL VFD has you covered. If schools, groups or organizations in our first due area would like a presentation, our Public Education Team is happy to help with that. If you are not sure whether you are in our first due area or would like to schedule a presentation, email fireprevention@owlvfd.org and we’ll be happy to help.

The OWL VFD is happy to serve our community. Knowing how to properly respond in an emergency is the best way to keep everyone safe. We hope these safety tips help you and your loved ones.

Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department (OWL VFD) is one of the largest and busiest volunteer fire departments in the United States, with almost 300 members. OWL VFD provides fire suppression, EMS care, and rescue services to 80,000 residents in our 27 square mile area through the operation of three fire stations. OWL volunteer Firefighters and EMT’s work the 6 pm to 6 am shift, five days a week, plus 24/7 holidays and weekends. For more information on OWL VFD, become a fan on their Facebook page here.