Self-reliance is the rule for fire safety for many people. If you live in an area where the local fire department is more than a few minutes away because of travel time or distance, or if you are outside the limits of the nearest town, be sure you know how to be self-reliant in a fire emergency.

Your Abilene Fire Deparment encourages you to use this fire safety checklist to help you protect yourself, your home and its surroundings from fire. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility.

Maintain Home Heating Systems

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
• Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top.
• Extend the chimney at least three feet above the roof.
• Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

Have A Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
• Practice fire escape and evacuation plans.
• Mark the entrance to your property with signs that are clearly visible.
• Know which local emergency services are available and have those numbers posted.
• Provide emergency vehicle access through roads and driveways at least 12 feet wide with adequate turnaround space.

Make Your Home Fire-Resistant

• Use fire-resistant and protective roofing and materials like stone, brick and metal to protect your home. Avoid using wood materials that offer the least fire protection.
• Keep roofs and eaves clear of debris.
• Cover all exterior vents, attics and eaves with metal mesh screens no larger than 6 millimeters.
• Install multipane windows, tempered safety glass or fireproof shutters to protect large windows from radiant heat.
• Use fire-resistant draperies for added window protection.
• Keep tools for fire protection nearby: 100 foot garden hose, shovel, rake, ladder and buckets.
• Make sure water sources, such as hydrants and ponds, are accessible to the fire department.

Let Your Landscape Defend Your Property

• Trim grass on a regular basis up to 100 feet surrounding your home.
• Create defensible space by thinning trees and brush within 30 feet around your home.
• Beyond 30 feet, remove dead wood, debris and low tree branches.
• Landscape your property with fire resistant plants and vegetation to prevent fire from spreading quickly.
• Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your home and other structures.
• Store flammable materials, liquids and solvents in metal containers outside the home, at least 30 feet away from structures and wooden fences.

Follow Local Burning Laws

• Do not burn trash or other debris without proper knowledge of local burning laws, techniques and the safest times of day and year to burn.
• Before burning debris in a wooded area, make sure you notify local authorities and obtain a burning permit.
• Use an approved incinerator with a safety lid or covering with holes no larger than 3/4 inches.
• Create at least a 10 foot clearing around the incinerator before burning debris.

Check Your Hotspots

Each year fire claims the lives of 5,000 Americans, injures tens of thousands, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. People living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fire than those living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable space heaters and kerosene heaters are especially common risks in rural areas.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes rural fire problems can be reduced by teaching people to recognize the hazards. By following some of the outlined precautionary steps, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty.

Wood stoves cause over 5,000 residential fires every year. Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artificial logs, or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.

Buy only heaters with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.

Buy only UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfill any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.

Fireplaces regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fire. Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Don't wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.