Install a fire escape ladder in every upper floor bedroom. Remember every room needs two exits, if the window is an exit you need a way down.

FIRE ESCAPE LADDERS ARE NOT A TOY, ONLY PRACTICE WITH THE HELP OF A GROWN-UP AND USE IN A TRUE EMERGENCY

[BACK TO TOP]

Install smoke alarms in each sleeping room, in hallways close to bedrooms, at the top of stairs and on each level of home. Test smoke alarms regularly and change batteries twice a year.

Do not install smoke alarms near vents or within six inches of where walls and ceilings meet. If installed in these locations, your smoke alarm may not receive the smoke flow required to activate the alarm.

[BACK TO TOP]

Install a fire extinguisher on each level of home especially near the kitchen. Remember P.A.S.S! To use a fire extinguisher Pull the pin, Aim low at base of fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side at the base until the fire is out.

[BACK TO TOP]

• Develop a fire escape plan
  
  
• Include two exits from each room
  
  
• Teach children not to hide. If trapped, fire fighters have a harder time finding hiding children. If a child sees a fire fighter hug them to make sure that they see you.
  
  
• When escaping stay low (smoke rises)
  
  
• Cover mouth and nose with clothing to aid breathing
  
  
• Place hand on closed doors –if hot do not open and use another escape route
  
  
• Plan a meeting place outside the home
  
  
• Practice the plan with all household members
  
  
• Download Escape Plan

[BACK TO TOP]

Designate a kitchen “NO GO ZONE” for children. Never let children enter the NO GO ZONE especially when not supervised by an adult. Include ovens, stoves and heat containing appliances in the NO GO ZONE (it may be necessary to have more than one NO GO ZONE).

NEVER HOLD A CHILD WHILE HANDLING HOT FOOD/ WATER

[BACK TO TOP]

Set appliances back on counter, out of children's reach & do not overload outlets. Hot water urns and cholent/ slow cookers can tip over easily causing scald and burn injuries. Appliances containing hot water and food should be kept in the NO GO ZONE.

[BACK TO TOP]

Position Blech in a way that heat can escape from all sides without heating walls, cabinets or counters. Teach children that Blechs become very hot. Always keep pot handles turned inward and include stoves in the kitchen NO GO ZONE.

[BACK TO TOP]

• Keep out of children's & pets reach
  
  
• Do not place candles near or on anything flammable, including walls, curtains, cabinets, wooden & plastic tables, tablecloths, etc.
  
  
• Do not place candles under a cabinet
  
  
• Never leave Yom Tov/Shabbos candles unattended or go to sleep while they are burning
  
  
• Use extra caution when using 24 hour yartzeit candles. Keep on heat resistant surface away from flammable materials
  
  
• Keep surfaces and surrounding areas clear of burned matches and other debris
  
  
• Do not place candle near windows where they can blow over or ignite curtains
  
  
• When lighting keep hands, hair and sleeves away from the flame
  
  
• Do not light "school project" menorahs or shabbos candles made from materials that can burn (wood, plastic, etc)

[BACK TO TOP]

• Set appliances back on counter to avoid accidental burns and spills
• Designate ovens, stoves and heat containing appliances as a “NO GO ZONE” for children
• Keep hands, hair and sleeves away from open flame
• Position blech so heat can escape from all sides without heating walls, cabinets , and counters
• Never cover oven vents with aluminum foil
• Keep pot handles turned inward and away from the edge of the stove
• Never move pots of boiling hot liquids while uncovered
• Use extra caution when carrying hot food around children
• Treat burns immediately by cooling with cool water and call your local emergency number
• Never put water on a grease fire, use a fire extinguisher and call the Fire Dept emergency number

[BACK TO TOP]

Koshering a kitchen is a dangerous process that requires advanced preparation and research.  Consultation with and/ or assistance from individuals experienced in the koshering process is strongly recommended. 

The use of hazardous materials such as boiling water, blow torches, chemical cleaners, and other cleaning operations pose serious hazards.  Combining these items with kitchen appliances that use gas and electricity add additional hazards to the koshering process.  Below are some tips for ensuring your safety during the koshering process. 

Hot Water Safety

• Wear oven mitts when carrying/ moving pots of hot water or when placing objects in hot water
• Keep pots  covered when carrying to prevent scald/ steam burns
• Steam can cause serious burns, protect yourself especially hands, face and eyes

Blow Torch Safety

• Always wear high temperature resistant gloves (such as leather welders gloves)
• Always wear eye protection when using blow torch
• Only use blow torch in a well vented area
• Make sure that oven/ stove gas is shut off prior to koshering with blow torch

Chemical Cleaner Safety

• Always wear eye protection & long rubber gloves when using chemical cleaners
• Store chemical cleaners away from food/ drink and in a secure area inaccessible to children
• Only use in a well vented area to reduce inhalation of toxic fume
• Avoid spraying chemicals on or around pilot lights
• Follow directions when removing safety caps, do not use a knife or tool to pry cap, doing so may puncture container and cause injury

Self Cleaning Ovens

• Make sure that oven is empty, and clean excessive grease buildup, before turning on self cleaning mode 
• Once oven door locks it cannot be opened to extinguish fires within.  This may result in a kitchen/ house fire

General

• Always wear closed shoes  and protective clothing when handling hot materials
• Keep children away from areas being koshered
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy when koshering
• Read and follow directions before using oven self cleaning mode, blow torches, and chemical cleaners
• Treat heat & chemical burns immediately by placing under running cool (not cold) water & call your local emergency response number

[BACK TO TOP]

• Never carry hot food while holding a child
  
  
• Keep pot handles turned away from stove front
  
  
• Never store treats above or near stove
  
  
• Keep matches away from children
  
  
• Keep appliance cords away from counter edge
  
  
• Place hot foods/ pots in the table center. Especially when using a table cloth, place hot foods/pots far from the edge where they could be pulled over and cause scald and burn injuries.
  
  
• Use microwave ovens with caution. Food may become much hotter than container and may not heat evenly. Gently shake baby bottles before testing temperature.
  
  
• Never place any object over a light fixture
  
  
• Do not overload timers or outlets
  
  
• Use light bulb of appropriate wattage
  
  
• Do not run power cords under rugs
  
  
• Use outlet covers when not in use
  
  
• Keep heat producing appliances away from cabinets
  
  
• Never smoke in bed
  
  
• Only use safety approved modern space heaters
  
  
• Never place space heater on rug or near flammable objects
  
  
• Set hot water thermostat to 120 F
  
  
• Test bath water before you or children get in
  
  
• Keep fire places covered with protective screen

IF YOUR CLOTHING CATCHES FIRE: REMEMBER TO GET OUT OF THE AREA AND STOP, DROP AND ROLL. RUNNING WILL FUEL THE FIRE AND MAKE THINGS WORSE.

TREAT ALL BURNS IMMEDIATELY BY COOLING WITH COOL WATER AND CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONCE NUMBER.