It's smart to take protective measures to reduce the risk of personal injury and property damage before a fire occurs.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Test and clean smoke alarms monthly.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries each year.
• Review escape routes with your family and practice escaping from each room.
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor when escaping a fire.
• Clean out storage areas in your home.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids indoors.
• Never smoke near flammable liquids.
• Clean fireplace chimneys and remove branches from above chimney openings.
• Keep open flames and heating units away from walls, furniture, draperies, and flammable items.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Do not overload extension cords or electrical outlets.
• Install fire extinguishers in your home and teach family members how to use them.
• Ask your local fire department to inspect your home for fire safety and prevention.

It's important to evacuate your home as quickly as possible. Do not endanger yourself by attempting to take possessions with you.

• Check all closed doors for heat before opening them.
• If the door is hot, go through a different exit or use a window.
• If the door is cool, open it slowly to ensure it offers a viable escape route.
• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gasses collect first along the ceiling.
• Close doors behind you to delay the spread of fire.
• If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop to the ground, and roll until the fire is extinguished.
• To prevent smoke inhalation, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or T-shirt.
• Stay out of the house once you have escaped. Do not re-enter.
• Call 9-1-1.

If needed, take a headcount to make sure all family members escaped. Check to see if anyone is injured.

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
• Do not attempt to open safes or strong boxes - they retain intense heat for several hours.
• If you rent your home, contact the landlord.

Keep copies of records and other important documents in a waterproof portable container. Another option is to keep these files in a secure, off-site location, such as a safe deposit box.

• Social security cards, driver's licenses and passports
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Will
• Current photos of family members
• Emergency contact list
• Immunization records
• Bank and credit card account numbers
• Insurance policies
• Contracts and deeds
• Stocks and bonds
• Inventory of valuable goods (include photos videos, appraisals, etc.)

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and car. Maintain a three- to seven-day supply of vital medications.

• Prescription drugs, pain relievers and antacids
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Antiseptic, sterile needles
• Sterile adhesive bandages and gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins in multiple sizes
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• First aid manual
• Heat and fire-resistent blanket