Good housekeeping prevents household fires Published April 25, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Charles Fish 436th Civil Engineer Squadron DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- You may hear on the news or in the newspaper about fires that destroy local residences, leaving families homeless and sometimes even taking lives. Many times, such fires are caused by smoldering cigarette butts discarded in trash cans. Every day numerous fires are caused by poor housekeeping practices around the house. With most people thinking about spring cleaning, here are some tips for good housekeeping in homes. General housekeeping: Keep a neat residence. Clothes and combustible products haphazardly strewn throughout a home give a fire more opportunity to start and will allow a fire to spread more rapidly. Do not overload electrical circuits or run extension cords under floor coverings. Portable heaters, furnaces and water heaters: Portable heaters are a major cause of fire in the home. A three-foot clearance of all combustibles should be maintained around portable heaters, water heaters and furnaces. For those who use fuel burning portable heaters, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Also, be aware of the possibility and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric space heaters should have a safety tip-over switch. Smoking materials: If you haven't quit smoking yet, keep lighters and matches out of reach of children. The most common material first ignited in home smoking material-related fires was trash or waste, followed by mattresses and bedding and upholstered furniture. Smoking in bed or falling asleep while smoking could be extremely hazardous to your health. The number one cause of fire deaths in the home is smoking related. Empty ashtrays into a metal container, soak with water and dispose the next day. Barbecues: Do not leave barbecue grills unattended while in use. Also don't barbecue within ten feet of a structure, including under carports or overhangs. Put used charcoal in a metal container and saturate with water prior to disposal. Propane gas cylinders should not be stored inside any occupied building. Most of these tips could also be used at your workplace. Many industrial building fires can be attributed to poor housekeeping. It's a good idea to keep your work area just as neat and clean as it is your home. It doesn't matter where you live or work, fires can occur anywhere at anytime. Common sense will often prevent disastrous situations. Taking the time now to look around your work area or home for hazards may save you time and money later. For questions regarding fire safety, contact the 436th CES Fire Prevention Office at 677-4414 or 677-4415.