Fire Safety Tips from the Statesville Fire Department

Preparedness • Prevention • Protection

At the Statesville Fire Department, keeping our community safe is at the heart of everything we do. One of the best ways to protect your home and loved ones is by staying informed and practicing fire safety every day.

Below are 12 essential fire safety tips - easy, effective ways to help reduce the risk of fire at home, school, or work. These are ordered by the month we recommend highlighting each one, based on seasonal relevance and common fire risks.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms Save Lives - Make Sure Yours Are Ready

A working smoke alarm is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your family from fire. Follow these essential tips to stay safe:

Test Monthly: Press the test button on each alarm every month to ensure it's working properly.

Change Batteries Annually: Replace batteries at least once a year, or immediately if the low-battery warning chirps.

Install Alarms Correctly: Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas and bedrooms.

Keep Sensors Clean: Dust and debris can interfere with your alarm’s ability to detect smoke. Wipe them down regularly.

Know When to Replace: Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years - even if they still seem to work. Check the manufacture date on the back. We partner with both The American Red Cross and NC OSFM to offer free smoke and C/O alarms. We will install these alarms and replace batteries in existing alarms free of charge for City residents. If you are in need of alarms, just want your alarms checked or have a question about one of these programs, please complete our Contact Us here.

Your safety starts with working smoke alarms. Don’t wait - test today!

Avoid Overloading Outlets

Protect your home and loved ones by following these simple electrical safety tips from the Statesville Fire Department:

• Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet.
• Use surge protectors with circuit breakers when needed.
• Avoid daisy-chaining power strips or extension cords.
• Unplug small appliances when not in use.
• Inspect cords regularly and replace any that are damaged.

A little prevention goes a long way. Stay safe - respect your outlets!

Create and Practice a Home Escape Plan

Have a fire escape plan with two exit routes from every room and a designated outdoor meeting place. Practice the plan twice a year, ensuring everyone understands what to do. Include special plans for children, pets, and family members with mobility needs.

Keep Lighters and Matches Out of Reach

Matches and lighters may seem harmless, but in the wrong hands, they can pose serious danger. Help keep your home safe with these important tips:

Store Safely: Always keep matches and lighters locked away or in high places that are completely out of reach of children.

Teach Fire Is Not a Toy: Talk to your kids about the dangers of fire. Make it clear that only adults should handle fire-starting tools.

“Look, Don’t Touch”: Encourage children to stay away from matches, lighters, or anything that could cause a fire—and to tell an adult if they find them.

Check Regularly: Periodically make sure that these items remain securely stored and have not been moved or accessed.

A few simple steps today can prevent a tragedy tomorrow. Make fire safety part of your everyday routine.

Cook with Caution

The kitchen is the heart of the home—but it’s also a leading source of house fires. Follow these simple safety practices to help prevent accidents while cooking:

Stay in the Kitchen: Never leave food unattended while cooking, especially when frying or using high heat.

Keep Flammables Away: Keep dish towels, paper towels, oven mitts, and other flammable items at a safe distance from the stovetop.

Turn Pot Handles Inward: Always turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills and accidental knocks.

Set a Timer: Use a timer as a reminder that something is cooking—especially if you're multitasking or stepping away briefly.

Be Prepared: Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen and make sure everyone in the household knows how to use it.

Clean Often: Regularly clean stovetops, ovens, and range hoods to remove grease and food buildup that can ignite.

A few mindful habits can make all the difference. Cook smart, stay safe!

Practice Holiday Safety

Keep live Christmas trees watered to prevent drying out. Inspect holiday lights for damage and never leave them on overnight or when you’re not home. Use flame-resistant decorations and avoid overloading electrical outlets.

Be Smart with Space Heaters

Space heaters can be a convenient way to stay warm—but only when used correctly. Protect your home and family with these important safety guidelines:

Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep at least three feet of clearance around your heater—away from furniture, curtains, bedding, and anything else that can catch fire.

Turn It Off When Unattended: Always switch off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Choose Models with Safety Features: Look for heaters that include automatic shut-off if tipped over or overheated.

Plug Directly into Wall Outlets: Avoid using extension cords or power strips. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet to reduce fire risk.

Keep Heaters Dry: Never place a space heater in a bathroom or other damp area and keep it away from sinks or tubs.

Stay cozy - but do it safely. Smart heating choices prevent fires and save lives.

Use Candles with Care

Place candles on sturdy, heat-resistant surfaces away from curtains and flammable materials. Never leave candles unattended or burn them when you sleep. Consider flameless LED candles as a safer alternative, especially in homes with children or pets.

Clean the Dryer Lint Trap

Lint buildup is a common cause of dryer fires. Clean the lint trap before and after every load. Vacuum behind and underneath your dryer periodically, and ensure the outdoor vent is clear and unobstructed.

Store Flammable Liquids Safely

Store gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids in approved containers, in well-ventilated outdoor areas away from heat or sparks. Dispose of unused flammables properly and keep them out of children’s reach.

Be Ready: How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Safely

A fire extinguisher can stop a small fire from becoming a major disaster—if you know how to use it. Make sure you're prepared with these essential tips:

Learn the PASS Technique: Master the simple steps to operate an extinguisher effectively:
Pull the pin
Aim low at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side

Check Monthly: Inspect the pressure gauge every month to ensure the extinguisher is fully charged and ready to use.

Replace or Recharge After Use: Even a partially used extinguisher needs to be replaced or professionally recharged right away.

Know When to Evacuate: If the fire becomes too large or spreads quickly, leave immediately and call 911. Your safety comes first.

Keep Extinguishers Within Reach: Place fire extinguishers in easy-to-access locations like the kitchen and garage, where fire risks are higher.

Being prepared means acting quickly and confidently when it counts. Take time today to review your extinguisher - and know how to use it.

Maintain Your Yard to Reduce Fire Risk

A well-maintained yard is more than just curb appeal—it’s your first line of defense against fire. Follow these landscaping tips to help protect your home:

Clear Out Debris: Regularly remove leaves, pine needles, and dead vegetation from your roof, gutters, porches, and decks to reduce flammable buildup.

Trim Back Trees: Keep tree limbs at least 10 feet away from chimneys and rooftops to prevent fire from jumping to your home.

Mow and Water Your Lawn: Maintain a short, green lawn by mowing and watering regularly. Dry, overgrown grass is a fast-burning fire hazard.

Store Materials Safely: Keep firewood, propane tanks, and other combustibles at least 30 feet from your home and outbuildings.

Remove Dead Vegetation: Clear away dead plants, dry weeds, and brush throughout your yard and along fence lines.

Create Defensible Space: Design your landscape to form a buffer zone between your home and surrounding vegetation. This slows the spread of wildfire and gives firefighters a better chance to protect your property.

Small efforts make a big difference. Yard maintenance isn't just routine—it's smart fire prevention.

Stay Fire Smart, Statesville!

By practicing these fire safety habits year-round, you protect your family, your home, and your community. Follow the Statesville Fire Department’s website and social media for monthly tips and resources.

Together, we can prevent fires before they start.