Fire prevention

The best way to stop a fire is to learn how to prevent it.

House fires

House fire at night

 

Common causes of fire deaths

  • Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths.
  • Alcohol use contributes to 40% of residential fire deaths.
  • Cooking is the number one cause of residential fires.
  • Not having smoke alarms causes about half of fire deaths in a home.

House fire prevention

You can learn more about fire prevention from the State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Prevention Agency.

Read about fire safety from the State Fire Marshal

View fire safety tip sheets from the National Fire Prevention Agency

Fire safety and prevention at home

What to do

  • Have working smoke alarms.
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector.
  • Keep a household emergency supply kit.

Get information about keeping your home safe from fires

Make an escape plan

  • Simplicity is key. Plan for two escape paths in case one is blocked.
  • Communicate your meeting place with everyone.
  • Practice makes perfect! Practice your plan until you feel prepared.

Learn more about creating an escape plan

What not to do

  • Do not smoke when you’re sleepy or in bed.
    • If you do smoke, make sure to put out your cigarette or other tobacco product completely.
  • Do not leave burning candles unattended.
    • Place burning candles on a nonflammable surface, such as metal or glass.
    • Keep burning candles away from flammable items, such as curtains, furniture and clothing.
  • Do not put items near your space heater.
    • Keep objects at least three feet away in all directions from a space heater.
    • Never connect your heater to spliced, do-it-yourself or damaged wiring.

Child fire safety

Child with matches

 

Fire fascinates children. Some start to play and experiment with fire. This can be dangerous to deadly. Early intervention can curb this behavior.

What to know

  • Children as young as two can start fires by striking a match.
  • Many of the fires that kill children are set by children.
  • About half of child fire-setting cases in homes start in a bedroom.
  • Most fires caused by children are started with lighters and matches.

What to do

  • Lighters and matches should be locked up and out of the reach of children.
Firefighter at a fire

Home fire safety

The American Red Cross provides free smoke alarms and fire education.
Request a smoke alarm

Contact us

David Carson

Community Risk Reduction Officer

Email David Carson

 

Phone

612-673-3271 

Fax

612-673-2828

Address

Minneapolis Fire Department
350 Fifth St. S., Room 133
Minneapolis, MN 55415

 

Office hours

7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday