Fire Safety in your Fort Mill Home or Business

Every family in Fort Mill, SC should have an emergency fire escape plan.

In less than 30 seconds dinner on the stove can turn into a major fire. It takes only minutes for your home to be engulfed in flames. According to the American Red Cross, you may have as little as two minutes to escape.

Your smoke alarm could save your life. Is it plugged in and working, or is it in the junk drawer because it yelled at you when you burned some chicken 3 months ago?

Are you and your family ready? Many in South Carolina are unprepared when disaster strikes in their home. Failing to plan in the event of a fire could cost you everything.

Learn what you can do to keep the people you love safe!

How to prevent a fire

  • Install a fire alarm or smoke detector

  • Remove knobs from stoves and place out of the reach of pets and children

  • Don’t leave pets or children alone while cooking in the kitchen

  • Learn about electrical fires

  • Turn off & unplug appliances when away

  • Communicate the importance of not playing with fire to your children

Fire Safety Tips

  • Create a fire escape plan and talk about it with your family

    • Practice the plan once or twice a year

    • Make sure children know the plan & have the tools to understand

      • Use the old sayings: “GET OUT, STAY OUT” “STOP, DROP, & ROLL”

  • Have a plan for your pets!

    • Help firefighters find your pet by affixing a pet alert window cling or sticker to your windows

    • Always keep collars on them so they can be handled

  • Make sure your Smoke alarm is charged and working.

    • It’s recommended you have a fire alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and in hallways near sleeping areas

    • Test smoke alarms regularly to make sure they’re working

  • Store a fire extinguisher on each level of your home

    • Test fire extinguishers regularly to make sure they’re working

  • Remove clutter from your home to make sure all hallways and doorways are accessible

  • Repair frayed cords

  • Don’t overload outlets or extension cords

    • REMEMBER! Extension cords are a temporary option. They are not outlets!

    • Unplug when you’re away

  • Consider getting escape ladders for second or third floor bedrooms.

Prevention is the most important thing you can do to protect your family in the case of a fire. If one breaks out, stay calm, get out, stay out, and call for help.

Click here to download this Fire Safety Booklet for Seniors, brought to you by our local heroes at the Fort Mill Fire Department.

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