Set a good example. Teach your children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Protect them by keeping matches, lighters, gasoline, and other flammable materials out lf their reach.

Install smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms slash the risk of death from fire by half. Place an alarm on every level and in every bedroom. And, remember, they can't protect you if they don't work. Test them every month and change the batteries onece a year. Replace your alarms every ten years. To provide the best protection, consider installing different types of alarms for different types of fires. Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting slow, smoky fires, while ionization alarms are better at sensing flames. Keeping the appropriate type of fire extinguisher on hand can also help reduce the risk of death and injury.

Plan and practice escape routes. Practicing escape routes from every room in your house, and identifying an outdoor meeting location can help children, who may become disoriented and frightened in a fire, escape safely.