Irons

Irons that tip over can quickly start fires. Look for these models with special fire-safe features:

Auto Shut-Off Iron
Minimize fire hazards by purchasing an iron with an automatic shut-off feature. The iron will turn off if it tips over, falls from the ironing board or isn't used for several minutes.
[$20 - $80]   See Suppliers

Cordless Iron
A cordless iron eliminates the risk that a cord can get caught and tip the iron over.
[$90 - $100]   See Suppliers

Candles and Lanterns

The number of candle fires and resulting injuries has increased dramatically in recent years. Fires often occur when candles are left unattended, when they tip over or when hot wax drips onto combustible surfaces. These products can help you reduce the risk of fires in your home.

Candle Wax Drip Guard
These glass rings slide onto the bottom of candles to catch hot wax before it drips on combustible surfaces beneath the candlestick where it might start a fire.
[$7]   See Supplier

Candle "Snug" Devices
These wax "buttons" or foam pads help secure candles in an upright position in the candlesticks to minimize hot wax dripping on combustible surfaces beneath the candlesticks.
[$1 - $2]   See Suppliers

Disposable Oil Lantern
During a power outage, this disposable oil lantern with a special chimney to protect the flame provides a safer lighting alternative to candles.
[$9 - $10]   See Supplier

Matchless Lighter
These lighters offer a greater degree of safety than matches when lighting candles, grills, fireplace logs and pilot lights. Some models have safety locks to prevent children from using them.
[$3 - $25]   See Suppliers

Home Safes

Protect your memories, important documents, valuables and collections with a fire resistant home safe. Models vary greatly in how long and at what temperatures they can protect their contents from fire. Be sure the model you choose has the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark.

These safes are available in a number of sizes:

• Small — good for letters, tax records, contracts, deeds, bonds, memorabilia and passports.
• Medium — books, file folders, cameras, etc.
• Large — wedding dress, collections, guns, etc.

[$20 - $2300]   See Suppliers

Fire-Retardant Sprays

Fire-retardant sprays reduce the ability of certain items to ignite and burn. Some sprays are multi-use, while others can be used only for specific materials. Some suppliers offer special "home safety kits" that include fire-retardant sprays for drywall, wood, fabric and furniture, paper, and other items.

Fire-Retardant Spray — Paper
Apply this spray to paper holiday and party decorations, crepe paper, artificial flowers, wallcoverings, paper displays, packaging materials and other paper items.
[$6 - $75, depending on the size of the container]   See Supplier

Fire-Retardant Spray — Christmas Tree
This spray treats the needles and trunk of Christmas trees to reduce the risk of holiday fires.
[$6 - $75]   See Suppliers

Fire-Retardant Spray — Wood and Drywall
Spray wood and drywall near woodstoves, fireplaces, heaters, and furnaces to lessen the chance that these combustible surfaces can catch fire.
[$90, includes other fire-retardant sprays offered in the "home safety kit"]   See Suppliers

Fire Suppression Tools

Fire extinguishers and blankets can help you put out small fires in your home if you know how to use them. Keep this equipment handy wherever fires may start — kitchen, workshop, garage, near your fireplace or wood stove and in your car, recreational vehicle or boat.

Fire Extinguisher
Portable fire extinguishers can be used safely to put out small fires, but you must have the right type and understand how to operate it. If you are unsure of how to operate the extinguisher, you should leave your home immediately and call for help.

There are three common classes of fire, and extinguishers are labeled with symbols and letters for the classes of fire they can put out.

• Class A - fires involving paper, wood and ordinary combustibles.
• Class B - fires involving flammable liquids, such as oil, some paints and gasoline.
• Class C - fires involving energized electrical equipment such as power tools, wiring, fuse boxes, appliances, TVs, computers and electric motors.

Multipurpose fire extinguishers marked A:B:C may be used on all three classes of fires.

You can choose from rechargeable extinguishers that must be serviced after every use or disposable models that are used only once.
[$9 - $100]   See Suppliers

Fire-Extinguishing Sprays
Used for small Class A and B fires, these lightweight aerosol sprays are easier to use than full-sized fire extinguishers and require less clean up.
[$5.50]   See Supplier

Fire-Smothering Towel
This fire-retardant towel smothers small fires and may be easier for some persons to use than a fire extinguisher.
[$8 - $40]   See Suppliers

Fire Blanket
Use these specially treated fire blankets to put out small fires on a victim's clothing or to shield you from the intense heat as you escape a fire.
[$31 - $196]   See Suppliers

Other Products

Power Strip with Surge Guard
When additional outlets are needed, use these strips to minimize the risk of a power overload. Purchase only UL-listed products and look for models with surge protectors. Some of these power strips have one of these two types of safety guards:

• Spring-loaded covers that snap shut immediately to prevent shock caused by metal coming into contact with the power source.
• Covers that encase the entire power strip, plugs and the on/off switch.

[$3 - $35]   See Suppliers

Fire-Safe Wastebasket
Look for a fire-safe wastebasket that is UL-listed, UL-classified or approved by the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM). Many of these fire-safe wastebaskets feature a steel construction with a tight-fitting and self-closing lid that will extinguish the flames in the event of a fire started by its contents. The wastebasket will not burn, melt or emit toxic fumes.
[$15 - $350, depending upon size and type of container]   See Suppliers