Fire Officials Offer Tips For Staying Safe

Fire officials are warning residents to be careful with heating and cooking equipment as National Fire Prevention week gets under way Sunday.

Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, said Ken Gabriel of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.

The Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls fire departments ask that all residents have smoke detectors on every level of the house and outside sleeping areas.

They also offered these tips:

Keep combustible items at least three feet away from heaters.

Turn off all heating equipment before leaving home or going to sleep.

Don’t leave cooking unattended on the stove.

Remove pot holders and other items that could catch on fire from the stove.

Always flush ashtray contents, or douse them with water.

Keep matches and lighters away from children in a locked cabinet.

The Post Falls Fire Department will hold an open house today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can have a tour of the fire department and receive fire extinguisher training. They also can learn how to escape a burning building by going through a miniature fire safety house.

, DataTimes