Taking a proactive approach to fire safety can help prevent serious fires and explosions.  Here we provide some tips for fire prevention and improving fire safety:

Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Minimize flammable materials storage.
• Wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment.
• Observe proper housekeeping and safety practices.
• Maintain proper egress (3 feet) from work areas and keep emergency equipment unobstructed.
• Know the building’s evacuation plan.
• Evacuate calmly and quickly whenever a fire alarm sounds.
• Know at least two ways out of the building.
• Before opening a door, feel it with the back of your hand.  If the door is hot, do not open it.
• If you encounter smoke during your evacuation, stay low to the floor.
• Remember the rally point at the flag pole.
• Know the locations of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations, and exits.
• Learn to use a fire extinguisher.

Do NOT

• Work in the lab alone.
• Store flammable materials inside standard refrigerators and freezers.
• Leave candles or burners unattended.
• Leave cooking appliances unattended.
• Tamper with or block smoke detectors, fire alarms, or sprinkler systems.
• Ignore any building alarm.
• Hang anything from sprinkler heads.
• Prop fire doors open.
• Use elevators during an evacuation.
• Overload outlets.
• Use extension cords.