Bedroom and Den - FDNY Fire Zone

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	These rooms are used a lot, and people often use heat or candles to make them warm and inviting, increasing the chances for a fire.


		Is all paper, fabric or furniture kept well clear of the heater? There should be at least 3 feet of space between the heater and desk area, curtains or upholstery. Is the heater always turned off—and unplugged—when no one's in the room? Is the heater's cord in good condition? If it's worn, it should be replaced. Is the space heater clean? Any dust should be wiped off before using.


		Are all papers and wastebaskets kept clear of any heat sources? There should be well away from any sources of heat, such as space heaters. Are there smokers in your home? If so, make sure all matches are thoroughly extinguished in water before being thrown away; burning embers can easily ignite the paper in a wastebasket. Are there wastebaskets full of paper, or stacks and stacks of papers everywhere? Clean them up, recycling as many un-needed papers as possible. Not only does all this paper provide fuel for a possible fire, clutter such as this can be difficult to get past should a fire occur.


		Are there a lot of cords plugged into one outlet? If so, the wires might be working too hard. Distribute what's plugged in to other outlets in the room... or plug in fewer things! Do any of the cords or plugs feel hot? If so, they might be too thin to handle what they're being asked to do. Appliances that demand a lot of electricity, like air conditioners need a thick, insulated cord. Are any of the cords worn or frayed? If so, they should be replaced. Are any of the cords running beneath rugs or upholstery? If so, change their route, so the hot cord doesn't ignite the fabric.


		Are all the sheets and blankets well away from any heat sources? Is anyone smoking while in bed? Don't let them—fires often start when people fall asleep while smoking. If a cigarette should accidentally put a burn in a mattress, call 911—even if you think the fire is out (it may still be smoldering deep inside the mattress).


		Is there a lot of clutter? Clean piles of boxes, papers, magazines, etc. away from hallways and exits. Is there any furniture blocking potential exits? Move furniture and storage cabinets away from exit doors, hallways, foyers, and windows that lead to fire escapes.


		Is the fireplace opening covered by a heavy, metal screen or covered by glass doors? If not, sparks and glowing embers from the fire could fly out of the flames, causing a fire (or a burn!). Have all newspapers, furniture and fabric (such as sofas, chairs or curtains) been moved well away from the fireplace? These things are susceptible to both sparks and heat from the fire. If the fireplace is being used, is the flu open all the way? There needs to be adequate ventilation for the smoke and carbon monoxide that fires release. Also, only burn wood that has not been painted, shellacked, varnished or pressure-treated. Has the fire been extinguished before you leave your home or go to sleep? Shovel ashes into a 5-gallon bucket of water (not a trash bag), and carry the bucket outside for proper disposal. Has the chimney been inspected and cleaned recently? Ask an adult—dirty and broken chimneys can start on fire themselves.


		Is there a working smoke alarm installed in or just outside every sleeping area? If you have a smoke alarm, it should be mounted high on a wall or ceiling. Has your smoke alarm or heat detector been tested recently? Batteries should be changed at least twice a year (daylight savings time is a good way to remember), and the alarm should be tested once a month. If the alarm is mounted too high to reach, use a broom handle to push the test button. Is your smoke alarm more than 10 years old? If so, it should be replaced. Is your smoke alarm near any air conditioning outlets? Because of the heat, they should be at least 4 inches away. Is your smoke alarm near any sources of steam or moving air? They should be mounted at least 4 feet away from bathroom entrances and air conditioning vents. For more information on installing and maintaining smoke alarms, go to http://www.nfpa.org


		Are the pets kept out of any room where candles are burning? Even when candles are on a table, pets can jump up, or jostle things over. It's best to play it safe and keep pets well away from any source of flame. Are the pets kept out of any room where a space heater is being used? Again, all it takes is one accident—a dog knocking a wastebasket full of paper into the heating coils, for instance—to start a fire.


		Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. Cars or generators running in a garage can also create levels of carbon monoxide. Have CO alarms (listed by an independent testing laboratory) been installed inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO? Do you know the difference between the sound of your smoke alarm and the sound of your CO alarm? Learn it. If your CO alarm sounds, check the battery, then have everyone leave your home. From a safe place, dial 9-1-1, and do not re-enter your house until the firefighters have said it's okay. If a car needs to be warmed up, has it been removed from the garage? Do not run a car, generator, or other fueled engine indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow. During and after a snow storm, have the vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace been cleared of snow build-up? Have fuel-burning household heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters) and chimneys been inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in? When using a fireplace, has the flu been opened for good ventilation? If a kerosene or gas heater is being used, has a window been opened slightly in the room where they're operating? Only refuel the heater outside, after the device has cooled. Ask an adult to make sure it's legal to operate the heater; in many states they're not allowed.

Everything was okay until our dog Rosie knocked over the birthday candles!

Hiding in the closet was wrong... we should have told about the fire right away!

Who knew? Things don't even need to be touching a space heater to catch on fire!

I was choking and gagging from the smoke... but I knew I had to let someone know where I was!