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In the U.S. alone, there are more than 500,000 residential fires every year that are serious enough to require a call to the fire department. Stay safe with these fire safety tips:

Plan an Escape Route

If a fire does break out, you must get out fast. Being awakened by a smoke alarm at 2:00 a.m. is not the time to have to think through how to get to safety. You must plan ahead.

Beware of Smoking

The leading cause of fire deaths is careless smoking. Cigarettes can smolder under and around upholstered furniture unnoticed only to ignite into a full blaze minutes later.

Take Care Cooking

Never leave your cooking unattended. To avoid accidental spills of hot oil or boiling water, be sure the handles of pots and pans are turned inward on the stove so they can’t be bumped or grabbed by anyone.

Space for Space Heaters

Whether electric, kerosene or some other fuel, space heaters need space. They should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Never leave them unattended when you leave home.

Use Electricity Carefully

Promptly replace cracked or frayed cords on appliances. If an appliance sparks, smells or smokes, unplug it immediately and have it repaired or replaced. An all-too-common cause of electrical fires is the improper use of extension cords. Never run extension cords under rugs and never use an extension cord to overload a circuit.