Fire Safety

Residential hazardous materials (hazmat) safety is important in preventing fires in and around your home. Hazmat safety involves the proper handling and storage of combusti­bles and flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, oil, aerosols, certain household cleaning products, and painting supplies. The following are some safety tips you can follow to avoid a hazmat emergency: * Use proper storage containers for flammables and combustibles; * Know how to shut off the gas supply in case of an emergency; * Never store flammables in direct sunlight or near an open flame; * Inspect storage areas regularly and be on the lookout for leaky con­tainers, poor ventilation, and the smell of fumes; and * Store hazardous materials out of the reach of children and pets. The United States Fire Administration recommends everyone should have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers, and practicing a home fire escape plan.