Fire Prevention Week Tip Stay Fire Safe

The National Fire Protection Association sponsors Fire Prevention Week each year.  Today's fire safety tip is about being ready in case of a fire emergency.  Minnesota fire departments responded last year to more than 250,000 emergency calls.

Fire experts say families may have as little as two to three minutes to escape a house fire.  That means seconds can literally save lives.

Here are some NFPA tips to stay fire safe:

• Pay attention in the kitchen.  If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.  Kitchen fires are the top fires in the home.
• Keep anything combustible at least three feet from space heaters, wood stoves or fireplaces.
• Practice your family escape plan and make sure everyone knows where to meet following a fire.
• Have working smoke alarms in your home.  Test them monthly, change the batteries twice a year.
• Keep candles away from combustibles and never leave candles unattended.