Imagine your home is on fire and you need to get out fast! Would you and your family know where to go and what to do? Smoke from even a small fire can fill a home in seconds, obscuring your vision, and leaving you lost inside your own home. Fire can block your usual exits, forcing you find other ways out. That is why it is so important to know what to do before a fire starts. You can survive a fire in your home if you plan and practice your escape! 

Creating A Home Escape Plan

• Using graph paper, draw a floor plan that includes all the rooms in your home.
• Identify two ways out of each room (excluding closets and bathrooms). Discuss escape routes with everyone in your home.
• Designate a meeting place outside your home where you and your family would meet in the event of fire.

Once you know two ways out of each room and have a designated meeting lace, you have a home escape plan! 

Practicing Your Home Escape Plan 

It is important that you practice your home escape plan with all members of your household to be sure everyone will know what to do if a fire breaks out. To practice your home escape plan:

• Have an adult activate a smoke detector by pushing the “test” button.
• When you hear the smoke detector, get down low and crawl to the nearest exit to practice what to do if you encounter smoke.
• If you come to a closed interior door, feel the door with the back of your hand to see if it is hot. If the door is hot, don’t open it – try to find another way out. If the door is not hot, open it slowly and check for smoke before proceeding out.
• Close doors behind you as you escape to slow the spread of smoke and fire.
• Once you leave your home, meet all members of your household at your designated meeting place.
• Have an adult either bring a portable or cellular telephone to your designated meeting place (or go to a neighbor’s house) and practice calling 9-1-1. Never call 9-1-1 if there is not a genuine emergency.

Remember to practice your home escape plan at least twice a year. The next time you practice, have family members pretend their usual way out is blocked by smoke or fire and have them practice using a secondary means of escape. 

Be Prepared for Fire

Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Test smoke detectors once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year (or whenever the detector “chirps” to signal low battery power). Replace any smoke detector that is more than ten years old. For more information about smoke detectors, please visit our Information About Smoke Alarms web page. Also, if you live in the City of Fairfax and need smoke alarms for your home, please call 703-385-7830.

• Consider purchasing fire escape ladders if bedrooms are on upper floors.
• Make sure that windows and screens open easily. Teach everyone in the household how to unlock and open all windows and doors.
• If your windows have security bars, equip them with quick-release devices.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home. Sprinklers can control or extinguish fires faster than it takes the fire department to arrive.
• Practice! Hold home fire drills at least twice a year. 

If You Live in an Apartment Building 

• Learn and practice your building’s evacuation plan.
• Leave immediately if you hear the fire alarm.
• Know the location of all building exits and fire alarm “pull” stations.
• Count the doors between your apartment and the nearest stairwell – you may have to find the stairwell in a smoke-filled hallway.
• Use the stairs – never use elevators during a fire.
• Never go back inside once you have made your escape.
• React immediately if you are trapped. Seal vents and cracks around doors with duct tape or wet cloths. Call 9-1-1, tell them where you are, and signal from a window with a flashlight or light-colored cloth. Try to keep exterior windows and doors shut – opened windows may actually draw smoke into your apartment.

Install Smoke Detectors
Did you know that one half of all home fire deaths occur in homes that do not have working smoke detectors? When properly installed and maintained, smoke detectors can double your chances of surviving a fire! Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. Test smoke detectors once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year (or whenever the detector “chirps” to signal low battery power). For more information about smoke detectors, please visit our Smoke Alarm Informationweb page. Also, if you live in the City of Fairfax and need smoke alarms for your home, please call 703-385-7830.

Plan Your Escape from Fire
If a fire breaks out in your home, you have to get out fast! Prepare for a fire emergency by sitting down with your family and agreeing on a fire escape plan. Be sure that everyone knows two ways out of every room. Consider purchasing fire escape ladders if bedrooms are on upper floors. Designate a specific place outside where everyone will meet in the event of a fire. Finally, have everyone in your household practice your fire escape plan twice a year.

Watch Out for Smokers
Careless smoking is the number one cause of fire-related deaths in the United States! Smoking in bed or when you are drowsy is particularly dangerous. To avoid fires from smoking materials, provide smokers with deep, non-tip ashtrays and soak butts with water before discarding them. Before going to bed or leaving home, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes. Finally, don’t smoke when you are driving. Hot ashes can fall, burning skin, clothing, and upholstery and taking your attention away from the road.

Practice Kitchen Fire Safety
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. It is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. To prevent kitchen fires, never leave cooking unattended; keep cooking areas clean and uncluttered; and never place or store combustible items on the range or in the oven. Wear short- or close-fitting sleeves when cooking to keep your clothes from catching fire. Finally, keep a fire extinguisher handy. If you don’t feel comfortable using a fire extinguisher, a container of baking soda also can be used to put out small fires. For more information about fire extinguishers, please visit our Information About Fire Extinguishers web page.

Use Electricity Safely
During a typical year in the United States, home electrical problems account for more than 90,000 fires and more than 700 deaths, and result in an estimated $700 million in property losses. Overloaded electrical outlets and the improper use of extension cords are prime causes of residential electrical fires. To prevent electrical fires, never overload electrical outlets, use only Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved electrical appliances and power strips; and avoid using extension cords as permanent wiring. Unplug appliances when they are not in use. Finally, only use bulbs that are the correct wattage for lamps and light fixtures.

Give Space Heaters Space
Both electric and kerosene space heaters are major causes of house fires. Each year, on average, two of every three home heating fires in the U.S. and five of every six home heating related deaths, are caused by space heaters. To prevent house fires, space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Children and pets also should be kept away from space heaters. Finally, never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.

Use Candles Safely
The latest statistics show that candle fires are on the rise. In 1999, an estimated 15,040 home fires were started by candles – a 20-year high. To prevent candle fires, never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, and are made of noncombustible materials. Finally, avoid using candles as emergency lighting – use flashlights instead.

Keep Matches and Lighters Away From Children
In a child’s hands, matches and lighters can be deadly. More than one of every eight fatal structure fires is started by a child under the age of 15. To prevent children from starting fires, store all matches and lighters up high, where small children can’t see or reach them.

Teach your children that fire is dangerous and that matches and lighters are tools for grownup use only. Teach young children to tell a grownup if they find matches or lighters. Finally, set a good example for children by following basic fire safety practices in your home.

Crawl Low Under Smoke
Early detection and quick evacuation are your two best strategies for surviving a fire in your home, but what if you are forced to make your escape through a smoke filled room or hallway? Remember, during a fire, smoke and toxic gases rise with the heat. The air is cleaner (and more breathable) near the floor. If you encounter smoke while escaping from a fire, first try using an alternate escape route. If you must escape through smoke, however, crawl on your hands and knees keeping your head as close to the floor as possible.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Do you have gas or oil heat at home? Perhaps a gas stove, clothes dryer, or water heater? How about a fireplace, charcoal grill, or attached garage? These home amenities all have one thing in common – they are potential sources of carbon monoxide (CO)! CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas created when fossil fuels (such as wood, oil, natural gas and kerosene) do not burn completely. CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. When properly installed and maintained, a CO detector can give you early warning that CO is accumulating in your home and give you a chance to escape before you succumb to the poisonous gas.

Portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out and containing small fires. But simply purchasing a fire extinguisher can give us a false sense of security. How many of us know, for example, what types of fire extinguishers are appropriate for use in homes or automobiles? Do most people really know enough to use one effectively? Trying to use a fire extinguisher incorrectly or using one that has not been properly maintained can be dangerous! Please take the opportunity to review the following information and learn more about fire extinguishers. 

Fighting Small Fires

Remember, most residential fire extinguishers are good only for putting out small fires. Some extinguishers discharge completely in as little as 8 to 10 seconds! Before you even consider using a fire extinguisher, you must be sure that:

• You have the confidence needed to fight the fire.
• Everyone else is leaving and someone is calling the fire department. Never attempt to use a fire extinguisher before the fire department has been called.
• The fire is small, confined and is not spreading.
• You can fight the fire with an unobstructed escape route to your back. Never allow the fire to get between you and your way out!
• You have the right type of fire extinguisher to fight the fire.

If you are even the least bit unsure about your ability to fight the fire - don’t! Make your escape instead and call the fire department from outside. 

Operating a Fire Extinguisher

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym P-A-S-S:

P – Pull the pin. The pin unlocks the operating mechanism and allows you to depress the lever. Certain fire extinguishers have metal pins while others have plastic loops that must be pulled before the extinguisher can be used.

A – Aim low. Point the extinguisher, nozzle, hose or horn at the base of the fire.

S – Squeeze the lever. Squeezing the lever will discharge the extinguishing agent. Certain extinguishers may have a push button mechanism instead of a lever.

S – Sweep the nozzle, hose, or horn from side to side. Moving carefully toward the flames, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth. Stay low to avoid breathing smoke and toxic gases.

Once the fire is out, watch the fire area and be prepared to act if the fire re-ignites. Have the fire department inspect the fire site even if you are sure that the fire is out.

Matching Your Fire Extinguisher to the Fire

There are three common types of fire in the home. Your extinguisher must match the type of fire you are fighting. Extinguishers are labeled with standard symbols or letters that correspond to the classes of fire they can put out. The three basic classes of fire are “A,” “B” and “C.” The symbols for each class of fire are shown below.

Class A fires involve paper, wood, and other ordinary combustibles.	Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as oil, some paints, and gasoline.	Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment such as power tools, wiring, fuse boxes, appliances, televisions, computers and electric motors.

• “Multipurpose” extinguishers (labeled A, B, and C) may be used on all classes of fires and are appropriate for use in homes or automobiles.
• Extinguishers labeled only for Class A fires contain water and are dangerous if used on grease, gasoline, or electrical fires.
• An extinguisher labeled with a red slash through any of the fire class symbols indicates that the extinguisher should not be used on that class of fire.
• A missing symbol indicates that the extinguisher has not been tested for that class of fire.

Extinguisher Size

Portable fire extinguishers are rated for the size of fire they can handle. Ratings appear on the label – for example, 2A:10B:C. In that example, the 2A means the extinguisher carries a rating of 2 for fighting Class A fires and a rating of 10 for fighting Class B fires; the C means the extinguisher can be used safely on energized electrical equipment. The larger the number, the bigger the fire the extinguisher can handle. Bigger models are usually heavier and more difficult to carry. Be sure to purchase a fire extinguisher that is the right size for you.

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Most A-B-C fire extinguishers sold for residential use contain dry chemicals and have a gauge to indicate if the extinguisher is fully changed. Periodically check to make sure your extinguisher is fully charged (the arrow should be pointing to the green portion of the gauge). Whenever you check the gauge, also be sure to remove the fire extinguisher from its bracket and turn it upside down. Periodically turning the fire extinguisher upside down helps shake up the dry chemicals inside and keeps them from becoming caked on the bottom of the extinguisher. If the chemicals become caked, the extinguisher may not discharge properly when it is needed.

Finally, many residential fire extinguishers have a limited shelf life and are not designed to be recharged. As a general rule, once a residential fire extinguisher is 12 years old it should be discarded and replaced with a new extinguisher. To safely dispose of an old fire extinguisher, take it outside away from buildings and cars, pull the pin, and discharge the extinguisher while holding it upside down. Discharging the fire extinguisher while holding it upside down will allow the propellant gases inside to escape while keeping most of the dry chemicals inside the extinguisher. 

During a typical year in the United States, home electrical problems account for more than 90,000 fires and more than 700 deaths, and result in an estimated $700 million in property losses. Overloaded electrical outlets and the improper use of extension cords are prime causes of residential electrical fires. To help prevent electrical fires in your home, please consider the following recommendations: 

• Only use electrical appliances, surge protectors, and power strips that have been tested and approved by an independent testing laboratory.
• Don't overload electrical outlets. Use only one major (high-wattage) appliance on the same circuit at any one time.
• Avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle. If several appliances must be plugged into one outlet (like for a computer or stereo system) use Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved power strips with internal circuit breakers to lessen the likelihood of overloading the circuit.
• Never use extension cords as permanent wiring. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under rugs or carpeting.
• Replace cracked or frayed appliance cords.
• If an appliance feels too hot, smokes, or gives off a funny odor, unplug it immediately and have it serviced or replaced.
• Whenever possible, unplug electrical appliances after each use.
• To minimize the risk of electrical shock, install ground-fault interrupter (GFI) outlets in all kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor areas, basements and garages.
• In homes with small children, electrical outlets should have plastic safety covers.
• If outlets or switches feel warm, or if sparks are observed coming from outlets or switches, shut off the circuit and have them checked by an electrician.
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn. Avoid the use of halogen lamps as halogen bulbs burn extremely hot and are a common source of fires.
• Only use bulbs that are the correct wattage for lamps and light fixtures.
• Never use water to attempt to extinguish fires involving energized electrical equipment.
• At a minimum, install at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. For more information about smoke detectors, please visit our information about smoke alarms web page.

For more information about electrical fire safety, send an email to our Life Safety Officer or call 703.385.7830.

Fire Extinguisher Training

You may see portable fire extinguishers in offices, stores, and schools — even at home or in our cars. But do you really know enough to use one effectively — especially in an emergency situation?

We can help: City of Fairfax Fire Department offers free fire extinguisher training to city homeowner associations, businesses, church organizations, and other community groups in the city.

The fire department conducts this outdoor "hands-on" training exercise using a portable propane-powered fire simulator. Please note: organizations requesting this service must provide the fire extinguishers to be used during the training exercise.

Eligible organizations can schedule a free fire extinguisher training program: please call 703-385-7830 (TTY 711).

 

Fire Extinguisher Disposal

WHEN to dispose of your fire extinguisher

• Outer damage such as a broken handle, cracked nozzle, split hose, or a missing locking pin.
• Missing inspection and maintenance sticker or tag.
• The fire extinguisher is more than 12 years old.
• The fire extinguisher has been used.

WHERE to dispose of your fire extinguisher

• Expired fire extinguishers are household hazardous waste.
• Please dispose at:
  • I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
  • I-95 Landfill Complex, 9850 Furnace Road, Lorton, VA 22079
• City residents may use dispose of household hazardous waste at no cost.
• Info: 703-631-1179, TTY 711, Fairfax County website

For more than a century, sprinkler systems have been used to protect our factories, office buildings, schools, and other commercial structures from the devastating effects of fire. But what about where fires are most common - in our homes? Until recent years, fire sprinklers in homes were relatively rare and limited primarily to high rise and high-density residences. 

Fire sprinklers, however, offer potential benefits for virtually every home. Fire sprinklers can save lives, reduce property loss and can even help cut homeowner insurance premiums. Home fire sprinklers can contain or even extinguish fires in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive at the scene. Combined with the use of smoke alarms, fire sprinklers also reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 82 percent (as compared to having neither). 

The City of Fairfax Fire Department recognizes the effectiveness of fire sprinklers in saving lives and protecting property, and actively encourages homeowners to consider installing residential sprinkler systems. Using quick-response sprinklers and approved piping, homes can be built or even retrofitted to include low-cost automatic sprinkler systems connected to a domestic water supply. 

Some misconceptions about fire sprinklers:

1. When one sprinkler goes off they all go off.
   Despite what you might see in movies or on television, sprinkler heads react independently to temperatures in each room. Thus, only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. The rest of the sprinklers in the house will not activate unless there is also a fire in that location. 90% of all home fires are contained with a single sprinkler.
   
   
2. If I burn something on the stove, the sprinklers could go off.
   Smoke alone cannot trigger sprinkler operation. Each sprinkler is individually activated by heat and will only go off in the event there is an actual fire.
   
   
3. A sprinkler could accidentally go off causing severe water damage to my home.
   The likelihood that a sprinkler could discharge accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is extremely remote. Your home is much more likely to be damaged by leaks from ordinary household plumbing than from a residential sprinkler system.
   
   
4. Water damage from a sprinkler system would be more extensive than the damage from the fire itself.
   Sprinklers severely limit a fire’s growth and use only a fraction of the water use by fire department hoses. Therefore, damage from a home fire sprinkler system will typically be much less severe than if a fire were extinguished using conventional firefighting techniques.
   
   
5. Home fire sprinklers are too expensive.
   Nationally, on average, home fire sprinklers add only 1% to 1.5% to the total cost of new construction (about what you would pay for an upgrade in carpeting). Residential fire sprinkler systems may also be economically retrofitted to protect many older homes.
   
   
6. Residential sprinklers are ugly.
   Modern residential sprinklers are inconspicuous, come in designer colors, and can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings.
   
   
7. Installing a residential sprinkler system will not significantly affect my insurance premiums.
   Installing a residential sprinkler system will generally reduce costs for homeowner’s insurance because fire sprinklers will keep damage low. Discounts for homeowner’s insurance range between 5% and 15% and vary by insurance provider.
   
   
8. I can’t install a residential fire sprinkler system because my home is not connected to a domestic water supply.
   Homes can be protected by fire sprinklers even in the most remote areas. Several manufacturers offer water tanks to supply residential fire sprinkler systems. The tanks are designed to fit in a garage or other storage area and can hold enough water to comply with national standards for home fire sprinkler systems.

A low-cost, reliable safety option, fire sprinklers can increase the value of your home, protect your family and possessions against loss from fire, and even decrease your insurance premiums. For more information about residential fire sprinkler systems, please visit the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition or the U.S. Fire Administration. 

If you have any additional questions about residential fire sprinkler systems, please contact our Life Safety Officer or call 703.385.7830. 

You may not think of your kitchen as a particularly dangerous place, but more house fires start in the kitchen than in any other room in the home. Cooking is the #1 cause of house fires in the U.S. and also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. Cooking fires more often result from unattended cooking and human error than from the mechanical failure of stoves or ovens. Finally, the range, rather than the oven, is the most likely source of ignition for a fire in the kitchen.

By taking a few simple safety precautions and paying special attention when cooking, you can avoid having a kitchen fire in your home.

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

• Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended - keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.
• Never place or store combustible items on the range or in the oven. Food containers, cutting boards, and plastic cooking utensils all can burn if the stove is left on. Keep curtains, towels, potholders, and other combustible materials away from flames and hot surfaces.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
• Turn pot handles in to prevent food spills and burns.
• Clean cooking areas frequently. Built-up grease can catch fire.
• Mount an A-B-C dry chemical fire extinguisher at eye level near the exit to your kitchen and away from the stove. For more information about fire extinguishers, please visit our information about fire extinguishers web page.
• Keep a container of baking soda handy to extinguish small kitchen fires (never use flour - flour is flammable!)
• At a minimum, install at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. To avoid false alarms, try installing smoke detectors at least ten feet away from stoves and other cooking equipment. For more information about smoke detectors, please visit our information about smoke alarms web page.
• Do you have a gas stove or other gas appliances? If so, consider installing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. Fore more information about CO, please visit our information about carbon monoxide web page.

Electrical Fire Safety in The Kitchen

• Always use cooking equipment that is tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Don't plug too many appliances into one outlet. Use only one heat-producing appliance on the same circuit at one time.
• Replace cracked or frayed appliance cords.
• If an appliance feels too hot, smokes, or gives off a funny odor, unplug it immediately and have it serviced or replaced.
• Whenever possible, unplug kitchen appliances after each use.
• Be wary of using electrical appliances around the sink or too close to water. Have ground-fault interrupter (GFI) outlets installed on all kitchen counter outlets to prevent electrical shocks.

Fighting Kitchen Fires

• In the event of a kitchen fire, call the fire department immediately! Do not attempt to fight a kitchen fire unless someone has called 9-1-1!
• Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until the pan is completely cool and don't peek to make sure the fire is out!
• Never pour water on a grease fire and avoid discharging a fire extinguisher directly onto a pan fire as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually making the fire worse.
• Never attempt to carry a pan of burning food outside.
• For a fire in an oven or broiler, keep the oven door shut and turn off the heat to smother the fire.
• For a fire in a microwave oven, keep the door closed and unplug the oven. Make sure to have the oven serviced before you attempt to use it again.
• Report all fires to the fire department even if you think you've put them out!

For more information about kitchen fire safety, email our Life Safety Officer or call 703.385.7830.

An electric blanket can be a nice warm comfort during the winter months. A misused or damaged blanket, however, can easily become an ignition source for a fire. Electric blankets that are too hot or kept on one area of the body for too long also pose a real threat for burns. This is especially a concern for infants, the elderly, or anyone who might have difficulty sensing hot temperatures or moving the blanket if it gets too hot.

The City of Fairfax Fire Department offers the following recommendations for using electric blankets safely:

• Only use electric blankets that have been approved by nationally recognized testing agencies (like Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.).

• Always buy new electric blankets; second-hand blankets may not be safe.

• Replace all electric blankets that are more than 10 years old. Most fires caused by electric blankets are caused by those older than 10 years.

• Replace any electric blanket that is worn or torn, where the electric cord is frayed, or where the temperature control is damaged.

• Turn your electric blanket off when not in use. Many older models have no internal temperature control to shut the blanket off when it gets too hot; if your blanket has no such internal control, consider replacing it with a newer model.

• Turn your electric blanket off before you go to sleep (unless the blanket is made specifically to be used all night).

• Refrain from using more than one electric blanket (or heating pad) at a time. Do not use electric blankets and heating pads together. The heat generated by the combined appliances can cause serious burns.

• Do not plug your electric blanket into an outlet that is controlled by a light switch; the blanket could be switched on accidentally.

• Do not pile toys, pillows, blankets, or other materials on top of an electric blanket or tuck electric blankets underneath mattresses or other items; excessive heat may build up to the point where the blanket could ignite.

• Do not sit or lay on top of an electric blanket; this may damage the blanket’s internal coils and expose the heating element to combustible fabric.

• Never ball up an electric blanket up and leave it on; excessive heat may build up to the point where the blanket could ignite.

• Unplug your blanket if you smell smoke or if any scorching is evident; discoloration of the blanket may indicate that it is burning internally.

• Never wash an electric blanket; the twisting, tugging, and turning action of the washing machine will damage the internal coils.

• Do not dry clean electric blankets; the chemicals used in the cleaning process may damage the heating insulation and increase the risk of fire.

• Ideally, electric blankets should be stored flat. If that is not possible, roll it up or fold it with as few creases as possible; be careful when folding the blanket to protect the internal coils.

• Replace any blanket where the embedded heating wires have been displaced or damaged. Check by holding the blanket up to light; the wires should be evenly spaced and not touch each other anywhere.

• Never use an electric blanket that is wet; do not turn an electric blanket on to dry it out. Refrain from using electric blankets and hot water bottles together.

If you have any doubt about the safety of your electric blanket, discontinue using it. It can still be used as a regular blanket, without plugging it in.

If you have any questions about electric blanket safety, please contact our Life Safety Officer or call 703.385.7830.

Imagine that you are injured or suffer from a medical condition that temporarily renders you unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate effectively with fire and rescue personnel. Without important information about your medical problems, how will the firefighters be able to quickly diagnose your condition and provide effective care? Without knowing what medicines you take, how will the paramedics know which drugs they can safely administer to you? Finally, without emergency contact information, how will the police let your relatives or caregivers know what has happened?

Enter the File of Life… The File of Life is a form that you keep on your refrigerator door that provides to emergency personnel critical medical and emergency contact information at times when you may not be able to provide that information yourself. Using the File of Life , first responders can check your known medical conditions, ascertain what medications you may be taking, find out about any recent surgeries you may have had, and see if you are allergic to any medications. We also can use the information found in the File of Life to let your relatives and caregivers know about your medical emergency.

The File of Life provides area to list contact information for your doctor, provide insurance information, and describe any other special circumstances that rescue personnel should know in caring for you.

 .

Free File of Life packets are available upon request to all City of Fairfax residents. The packet consists of a door decal, a File of Life information card and a vinyl cardholder used to place the card on your refrigerator door. Each person in the home who has a medical or physical condition that could require emergency care needs to have their own File of Life.

If you would like to request a File of Life for yourself or for someone else that lives in the City of Fairfax, please call 703.385.7830 TTY (703.293.7120).

Portable heaters can be a convenient and economical means of providing supplemental heat during cold winter months. When used improperly, however, portable heaters can present a serious fire hazard. Each year, approximately 55,000 home heating equipment fires are reported to U.S. fire departments. Those fires result in about 220 civilian deaths, 1,100 civilian injuries, and $500 million in property damage. Two of every three home heating fires and two of every three related deaths are attributed to portable and fixed space heaters and related equipment.

The City of Fairfax Fire Department offers the following recommendations for using portable heaters safely:

• Only use portable heaters that have been approved by nationally recognized testing agencies (like Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.).
• Always buy new portable heaters; second-hand heaters may not be safe.
• Only use heaters that turn off automatically if tipped over.
• Place portable heaters at least 3 feet away from all combustible materials including walls and furniture.
• If using an electric heater, make sure the cord is not frayed or worn; do not place the cord underneath rugs or carpeting. Never use an extension cord with a portable heater.
• Do not plug your portable heater into an outlet that is controlled by a light switch; the heater could be switched on accidentally.
• Place portable heaters on level, flat surfaces; never place heaters on furniture or other objects that might tip over.
• Keep portable heaters away from children and pets; never place a heater in a child’s room without supervision.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave home or go to bed; it is not worth risking your life to leave a portable heater on all night!

If you are using a kerosene heater, use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer (never use gasoline); also recognize that the indoor use of kerosene heaters can pose a serious risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you have any doubt about the safety of your portable heater, discontinue using it or replace it with a new heater. If you have any questions about portable heater safety, please call Life Safety Officer at 703.385.7830 or send an email at firesafety@fairfaxva.gov.