Fire safety starts at home—and a few simple steps can make all the difference.

The Painesville Fire Department is committed to helping residents stay safe through education, prevention, and preparedness. Whether you're teaching kids about fire safety or checking your smoke alarms, these tips can help protect your family.


Fire Safety for Kids

Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year. That’s why early education is so important.

Talk to your children about the dangers of matches and lighters—and make sure they know what to do if a fire starts.

Helpful resources for families and educators:

 

Electrical Safety at Home

Electrical issues are a leading cause of home fires, resulting in thousands of injuries and significant property damage each year.

Simple ways to stay safe:

  • Replace or repair damaged cords right away
  • Avoid running cords under carpets or across doorways
  • Don’t overload outlets or circuits

Additional resources:

   

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives. In fact, they’ve helped cut fire deaths nearly in half over the past several decades.

But they only work if they’re properly installed and maintained.

Make sure your home is protected:

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home
  • Test alarms regularly
  • Replace batteries twice a year
  • Replace the entire unit every 10 years

If you need a smoke alarm and cannot afford one, the Painesville Fire Department can help.


Cooking Safety

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires—and many of them are preventable.

Stay alert in the kitchen:

  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Keep flammable items away from the stove
  • Keep children at a safe distance
  • Avoid loose-fitting clothing while cooking

If a grease fire starts:

  • Turn off the heat
  • Cover the pan with a lid to smother the flames
  • Do NOT use water

If there’s an oven fire:

  • Turn off the heat
  • Keep the door closed
  • Call the fire department