Avoid the blaze with fire safety measures

Your Air Force Academy Fire Prevention Office staff want you and your family to have a fire safe year. Electrical fires in homes claim the lives of 280 Americans each year. Many of these fires are caused by incorrectly-installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords, but they can be prevented.

Here’s a few tips to help you keep your home safe in 2019.

-- If you use electric space heaters, plug them directly into a wall receptacle

-- Always avoid using power strips for high-electrical-drawing appliances like heaters, appliances and hair dryers

-- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring for damages

-- Immediately replace frayed wires and worn, old or damaged appliance cords

-- Discard any electrical tool if it causes shocks, overheats, shorts out or smokes or sparks

-- Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters, especially electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen

-- Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, like UL

-- Keep combustible items at least three feet from all space heaters

-- Use three-prong plugs only in three-prong outlets. Never force it to fit into a two-slot-outlet or extension cord

-- Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances

-- Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets

-- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets with too many plugs

-- Immediately shut off, replace light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker

Call 719-333-4433 for more information.