Fire

Household Fires Prepare and Prevent:

At all times:

• NEVER  leave lit candles unattended.
• ALWAYS watch or monitor the stove when cooking.
• ALWAYS keep matches and lighters away from children.

Smoke Alarms

• Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.
• Check the smoke alarms once a month.
• Replace all smoke alarm batteries at least once a year.
• Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.

Fire Extinguisher

• Have one or more fire extinguishers in your home with one in the kitchen.
• Know where the extinguisher is located at your workplace.
• Make sure the fire extinguishers are up-to-date.
• Make sure you know how to properly operate the extinguisher.

Plan

• Have several escape routes planned from your home and your workplace.
• Have a meeting place for the household planned in advance.
• Be informed about your workplace plans

Call 911 immediately if you smell smoke or fire.

• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out.
• If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If the door is cool leave quickly, close door behind you and crawl to an exit.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
• If your clothes catch fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL.
• Once you are out, stay out.
• DO NOT enter a fire-damaged building until authorities say it's okay.
• Check for signs of smoke or heat in case the fire isn't totally out.
• Have an electrician check your household wiring before you turn the power back on and DO NOT try to reconnect any utilities yourself.

For power outages, call Pepco 24-Hour Outage Report Line at 1 (877) 737-2662.

For downed wires, call Pepco immediately at 1 (877) 737-2662 and press 2.