Photo by confidentjohn CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Two victims trapped inside a Brooklyn home this morning died as a result of an early morning fire on Sunday. Neighbors of the victims attempted to help, but the flames were too intense and smoke too thick.
It took crews over an hour to put the fire out. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fires kill thousands of people each year in the United States. Here are some easy tips for preventing home fires:
- Walk around your home and inspect it to make sure all electrical wiring is in safe working condition.
- Never cook if you are really tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Do not fall asleep while smoking.
- Consider installing an in-home sprinkler system.
- Check the natural gas lines in the home for any irregularities.
- Keep the kitchen stove and surrounding object clean and free of grease.
- Be very careful with space heaters and follow the safety instructions in the user’s manual.
- Properly maintain your fireplace.
- Never leave candles unattended.
- Never plug too many things into an electrical cord.
- Teach children about fire safety.
- Clean clothes dryer vents before every new load.
- Keep lawn clippings away from the home.
- Use caution if using a grill on a wooden deck, close to the home.
- Extinguish matched with water to prevent trashcan fires.
