Keep flames from igniting your home

From the second a fire ignites in your home, experts say you may have just two minutes to get out before being overwhelmed by smoke and flames — and just five minutes before the entire structure is engulfed in flames. The key is to prevent the blaze from getting to that point. Here are things you can do:

Check the batteries in your smoke alarms once a month, and replace them twice a year. A good rule of thumb is to replace them when you change the clocks in the spring and fall.

Get rid of old paints and other flammable liquids you don’t need anymore, and store those you do in wellventilated areas.

Cover all outside vents with

tight mesh of oneeighth to onequarterinch openings to prevent embers from floating inside and igniting furniture or inner walls.

Keep a disaster kit within easy reach of the front door and make sure valuable documents such as deeds, passports and insurance policies are in one handy place to grab quickly on the way out. See details on pages 6 and 7.

BEDROOM

Install a smoke detector in the bedroom, especially if you sleep with the door closed.

Turn off electric blankets and other electrical appliance when not in use.

Do not smoke in bed.

If you have security bars on your windows or doors, be sure they have an approved quick-release mechanism so you and your family can get out if there is a fire.

BATHROOM

DisConneCt AppliAnCes suCh As Curling irons And hAir dryers when done, And store them in A sAfe loCAtion until they Are Cool.

Keep items suCh As towels AwAy from wAll And floor heAters.

KITCHEN

Keep A working fire extinguisher in the kitChen.

MAintAin eleCtriC And gAs stoves in good operAting Condition.

Don’t toss wAter on A stovetop greAse fire to extinguish it. InsteAd, use BAking sodA or put A lid on the pAn to suffoCAte the flAmes.

Turn the hAndles of pots And pAns AwAy from the front of the stove.

InstAll CurtAins And towel holders AwAy from stove Burners. Store mAtChes And lighters out of reACh of Children.

MAke sure thAt eleCtriCAl outlets Are designed to hAndle AppliAnCe loAds.

Neighboring property

Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle 2016 Simple, inexpensive measures to prevent fires in your home, such as installing new smoke alarms, could save lives.