- Prevention and safety information to help Americans stay safe from fire.
- Fire prevention resources for America’s career and volunteer Fire Service.
- Coloring pages, puzzles and games that teach kids how to stay safe from fire.
Rural Residences
Media stories can save lives! A news story about a residential fire provides a valuable opportunity to give your community a safety message during a teachable moment. Drop in these prevention tips and facts, and you just might save a life.
All U.S. homes should have working smoke alarms.
Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!
- Make an escape plan and practice it with your family.
- Know how to contact fire services in your area.
- Post home address signs that are easy to see from the road.
- Keep lawns trimmed, leaves raked, and the roof and gutters free of leaves and branches.
- Thin trees and brush within 30 feet of your home.
- Be safe when using fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters. Keep items that can burn at least 3 feet away. (Heating Tips »)
- Store firewood and flammable materials at least 30 feet from your home.
- Keep a clear path to hydrants, ponds, and other water sources.
- Follow all local rules about burning leaves and rubbish.
Rural Residences Fire Facts
- People in rural areas are at higher risk of fire death.
- Heating fires are the leading cause of home fires in rural areas. (Heating is the number two cause of home fires nationwide.)
- Many rural homes are far away from fire stations, so it takes longer for the fire department to respond. Within minutes, an entire home may be destroyed by fire.
- Limited water supply in rural areas can make it hard to put out a fire.
- Fires that start outdoors can easily spread to homes.
- Woods, dense brush, and other plants around rural homes can fuel fires.