FAQ
Fire Safety
How do I create a home fire escape plan?
Every household should have a fire escape plan and practice it twice a year. Follow these steps to create your plan:
- Draw a floor plan of your home showing all rooms, doors, and windows
- Mark two escape routes from each room (door and window)
- Choose a meeting place outside and away from the home
- Teach everyone to test doors for heat before opening
- Practice crawling low under smoke
- Designate someone to help young children, elderly, or pets
Important: Once you're out, stay out! Never go back inside a burning building. Call 911 from a safe location and let firefighters do the rescue work.
More Answers About Fire Safety
Fire Safety
Why is my smoke alarm chirping?
If the detector is chirping and no sign of fire or smoke is present, replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector can't do its job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly. Smoke detector batteries should be changed when you...
Read The Rest
Fire Safety
How do I prevent kitchen fires?
Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires. Follow these safety tips to prevent cooking fires:Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling foodKeep flammables away from the stovetop (towels, packaging, curtains)Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burnsKeep a lid nearby to smother grease fires -...
Read The Rest
Fire Safety
Can I have a control burn?
Control burns in Johnson County, Texas are allowed as long as there is not a burn ban. You must have water available and someone must be with the fire at all times. If you plan to conduct any outdoor burning, when a burn ban is not in effect, please contact...
Read The Rest
Stop, Drop, and Roll Still Works
If your clothing catches fire, do not run. Running fans the flames and makes them worse. Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll back and forth until the fire is out. This technique has saved countless lives since it was first taught in the 1970s.
Two Ways Out of Every Room
Every family member should know at least two ways out of every room in the house in case one exit is blocked by fire. Practice your home escape plan at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including children. Pick a meeting spot outside — like a mailbox or tree — so everyone can be accounted for.