It’s important to keep fire safety in mind, no matter where you live. If you’re buying or renting a manufactured home, there are some tips and safety requirements to know so you can keep your family safe.

Fact

Despite the federal requirements for factory-installed smoke alarms, data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) finds that 51 percent of fires in manufactured homes were reported as having no smoke alarms present. It is imperative that you never remove a smoke alarm from your home, as it may end up being the first detection of a fire.

Safety Tips

• Be sure your home has enough smoke alarms.
  • There should be a smoke alarm inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and in or near the family/living room area(s).
  • For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Create a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place.
  • Make sure all exits are easy to access and are not blocked.
  • Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year.
• NEVER remove or disable a smoke alarm.
  • If a smoke alarm sounds when you are cooking, consider moving the alarm further from the kitchen area or install a photoelectric type alarm which is less sensitive to cooking.
  • Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
• NEVER smoke inside the home.
  • Smoke outside and use large, non-tip ashtrays and empty them frequently. Flammables near homes can cause mulch fires, trash fires, etc.
  • Douse cigarette/cigar butts with water before throwing away.

Heat Sense

• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
  • Buy space heaters with automatic shut-off switches.
  • Turn off portable space heaters before going to sleep or when leaving a room.
• Never leave a lit candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Keep gasoline, charcoal lighters and other flammable liquids locked in an outdoor shed, and never store these items under your home.
• Store firewood away from your home.