RESIDENTIAL FIRE SAFETY

Most fires start in a home. There are five critical keys to fire safety:

  1. Working smoke alarms significantly improves your chances of survival in fire.

  2. Batteries should be replaced twice a year and alarms tested monthly.

  3. Alarms should be installed on all levels and in basements and attics.

  4. Alarms must be replaced every 10 years.

  5. Plan your escape routes. Make sure everyone knows the ways out. Have emergency rope ladders upstairs. Practice the plan.

If a fire starts GET OUT. STAY OUT. Call 911. Never go back inside for anything.

For more detailed information see: https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

LEARN MORE ABOUT…

  • Chimney fires are one of the leading causes of fires in Kittitas County. Multiple Roslyn homes have been lost to chimney fires. Cleaning your chimney annually is really the only way to prevent chimney fires. If you line an existing chimney, you MUST first clean the chimney. Roslyn Fire has responded to multiple chimney fires in a recently lined chimney that was not cleaned first.

    If you have a chimney fire the following steps can be taken:

    1) Shut all air intakes.

    2) Put a wet roll of paper towels into the woodstove – the resulting steam can cool the fire.

    3) Keep a Chimfex stick on hand – this is what RFD will use on arrival.

  • Propane, unlike natural gas, is heavier than air. It sinks. And can fill your basement. Propane appliances must NEVER BE IN A BASEMENT.

    If you have propane service at your house you should have a gas detector in your basement, no gas appliances in your basement, and all gas piping coming into your home should be protected from snow fall. In the winter of 2022 very heavy snow severed two gas lines causing two homes to explode with one fatality. Have your gas company check your home for safety!

  • Many of the same rules for adults apply to Children. Make sure your kids know how to escape and what to do if the alarm sounds.

    It is helpful to expose children to what a fully equipped firefighter looks like. A scared child might hide from responders. Firefighters look pretty scary in all that gear, face masks, and carrying an ax! Ask if your school arranges for firefighter visits and if not suggest they do.

    Especially important for kids is to learn not to play with fire or matches.

    A fun on-line tool for kids can be found here: www.sparky.org

  • Roslyn residents need two plans. One for wildfire and one for a residential fire in your home.

    The National Fire Protection Association has a great on-line resource for home fire planning:

    https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Escape-planning

    For wildfire visit our partner, the Washington DNR: https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov