Use the following checklist as
a guide to identify possible
fi re safety problems in your
apartment. If you answer “no” to any
question below, the potential hazard
should be corrected immediately to
reduce your risk and increase your
preparedness for fire. Contact the
LeFrak City Maintenance Services to
help remedy any safety issues.
• Do you have at least one operable
smoke alarm?
• Do you have at least one operable
carbon monoxide alarm?
• Are all electrical cords in good
condition? (not frayed or
cracked)
• Are all electrical cords in the
open, not run under rugs or
through doorways?
• Is your apartment free from storage
of flammable products?
• Are space heaters placed at least
three feet from combustibles?
• Are space heaters plugged directly
into wall sockets and not into
extension cords?
• Is your fire escape window clear
and unobstructed?
• Can all windows be opened easily
from the inside?
• Do you have operable flashlights
handy?
• Do you have a fire escape plan?
HEATING
As temperatures drop, it’s important
to remember heat safety. Heating
equipment is the second leading
cause of U.S. home fires and homefire
deaths. To remain safe during
the fall and winter chill, remember:
• Keep a three-foot clearance between
all heating equipment and
anything that can burn.
• Do not use your oven to heat your
home.
• When buying a new space heater,
FIRE PREVENTION:
It’s the fi rst and best defense!
make sure it has the label showing
that it has been tested by a
recognized testing laboratory.
• Space heaters should be turned
off every time you leave the room
and before going to bed.
• Space heater power cords should
be plugged directly into wall outlets
and never into an extension
cord.
• Always supervise children when
space heaters are being used.
ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS
ABOUT COOKING
Cooking is the main cause of
home fi res and injuries in the U.S.,
and the leading cause of cooking
fi res is unattended cooking. Always
follow these precautions when cooking:
• Stay alert and check on cooking
regularly.
• Make sure there is always an adult
in the kitchen when the stove is
on.
• Keep kids away from cooking
area.
• Always turn the stove off when
leaving the kitchen, even for a moment.
• Keep fl ammable items away from
heat, such as potholders and oven
mitts, bags and boxes, towels and
curtains.
• Install and use cooking appliances
according to the manufacturer’s
directions.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom
and outside each sleeping
area.
• Test smoke alarms regularly.
BE VERY CAREFUL
WITH CANDLES
To prevent a candle-fi re in your
home, always follow these safeguards:
• Never leave burning candles unattended;
28 SEPTEMBER 2017 | WWW.QNS.COM | LEFRAK CITY COURIER
be sure to blow them out
whenever you leave a room, even
for a short time.
• Do not keep candles within reach
of children.
• Be sure to extinguish all candles
completely before going to sleep.
• Do not burn candles near any
fl ammable items such as fabric or
paper.
IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT
IN YOUR APARTMENT:
• Get everyone out immediately
and stay low as you go.
• Use your safest and most accessible
exit.
• CLOSE ALL DOORS as you
leave.
• If using an interior stairway, alert
people on your floor by knocking
on their doors on your
• way out.
• DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
• Call 911 once you reach a safe location.
TEACH YOUR
CHILDREN
THE FACTS
ABOUT
FIRE:
Many children
will try to hide
from a fi re, oft en
in a closet, under
a bed, or in a corner.
But if taught
basic fi re facts, they’d
be better able to protect
themselves.
Teach your kids that fi res
spread quickly, that most firerelated
deaths are not from burns
but from smoke inhalation, and
that dangerous fumes can overcome
a person in just a few minutes.
Kids should learn to:
• Cover their mouths and noses with
a moist towel or an article of clothing
to keep out dangerous fumes
while evacuating
• Crawl under the smoke to safety,
staying as low to the ground as
possible, because smoke always
rises
• Touch any door (not the doorknob)
to see if it is hot. If it is, do
not open it— fi nd another exit
• Locate the nearest stairway marked
“Fire Exit”
• Always avoid elevators during a
fi re
• Never stop to take personal belongings
or pets
• Never stop to make a phone call
(even to 911) while evacuating
• Never go back into a burning
building once safely outside
• Stop, drop, and roll to extinguish
flames if an article of clothing
catches on fi re
• Kids should also always be dressed
for bed in fl ame-retardant sleepwear.