Fire & Life Safety Education

1. After the Fire

   In the days, weeks and months to come, you will face the difficult task of replacing and recovering as much of your loss as possible; cleaning, repairing, and rebuilding of your property; and attempting to resume your normal life as soon as possible.

2. Arson & Intentional Fires

   Arson hurts the entire neighborhood and city. Although three of every four intentional fires are started outside, most intentional fire casualties and property loss result from structure fires.

3. Burn & Scald Injury Prevention

   The Charleston Fire Department and the MUSC Children's Hospital offer the following tips to parents and care givers to prevent burn and scald injuries.

4. Campus Housing & Dormitories

   College and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies.

5. Candles, Lighters & Matches

   Candles may be pretty to look at, but they are a common cause of home fires—and home fire deaths.

6. Carbon Monoxide

   Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and toxic gas.

7. Children Playing with Fire

   Children are one of the highest risk groups for deaths in residential fires.

8. Clothes Dryers & Washing Machines

   Laundry is part of our everyday routine; however, these appliances are involved in an estimated 17,700 dwelling fires each year. Lint build-up in the vent or trap can get too hot and catch on fire.

9. Cooking Safety

   Cooking brings families and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. However, it’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

10. Disaster Preparation

    The Charleston area faces the genuine risk of fire, flooding, hurricanes, lightning, high winds, and earthquakes. Every family needs to be ready and know what to do before a disaster happens.

11. EDITH

    Escape plans help you get out of the home quickly and safely. Everyone in the home needs advanced preparation, so they can snap into action when the smoke alarm sounds.

12. Electrical Fire Safety

    Homes today are brimming with state-of-the-art technology, entertainment, and computer equipment. However, when too many lights and appliances are attached to the electrical system, it will overload—and then overheat. The heat causes the wire insulation to melt and ignite, resulting in an electrical fire. Most electrical fires can be prevented.

13. Fire Extinguishers

    A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations.

14. Fire Safety

    Get tips and tricks for staying safe during fires, as well as preventing fires.

15. Grilling Safety

    Read through safety tips about grilling.

16. Home Fire Sprinklers

    Fire sprinkler systems have been used to protect businesses, schools, and other public buildings for more than a hundred years.

17. Hotel & Motel Safety

    Vacations and business travel make hotels and motels our home-away-from-home.

18. Kids' Activity Pages

    There are many websites regarding fire safety and burn prevention for parents, teachers, and kids.

19. The Nature of Fire

    Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. But most people don’t understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families.

20. School Safety

    U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated average of 6,650 structure fires in educational properties, annually.

21. Smoke Alarms

    Smoke alarms save lives! It is the single most valuable lifesaving device you can have in your home.

22. Smoking & Cigarette Safety

    More people die in fires started by carelessly discarded or abandoned smoking materials such as cigarettes butts and cigarette ashes than any other type of residential fire.

23. Special Populations

    Special populations, such as kids with autism, deaf or hearing impaired persons, people with physical limitations, people with service animals, and senior citizens all have unique safety and escape planning requirements.

24. Summer Fire Safety

    Every season brings its own safety hazards. During the summer months, there is an increased risk of fire associated with the use of barbecue grills, gasoline, air conditioners, and other electrical appliances.

25. Vacant Building Fires

    Fires in vacant buildings have become a matter of increasing concern as the economy has weakened.

26. Vehicle Fire Safety

    U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 287,000 vehicle fires per year (nearly 17% of all reported fires).

27. Winter Fire Safety

    Even in the South, the winter months bring about many changes in your home. The heating system kicks on, you may use your fireplace or log-burning stove, and you prepare for the holidays by decorating and cooking holiday feasts.