Smoke Detectors: Check your home to make sure there is a working fire alarm on every floor (including the basement) and test each alarm at least once a month. Most experts recommend changing your smoke alarm batteries twice a year; a good rule of thumb is to coincide changing your batteries with Daylight Saving Time. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years of service or as recommended by the manufacturer. Working smoke alarms can double your chances of survival in the event of a fire.

Candle Fires: Over half of home candle fires start because the candle was too close to a combustible material and almost 40% of those fires begin in the bedroom. The month of December is the peak month for all candle fires with Christmas having the highest rate of the year. It is important to remember to: never leave a candle unattended, never burn a candle near anything that may catch fore, and to keep candles out of reach of children and pets.

Kitchen Fires: Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time with one another, such as on Thanksgiving, but the kitchen can easily become one of the most dangerous rooms in a home. Cooking equipment, such as a range or a stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home injuries in the United States. There are many ways to reduce the risk of a kitchen, for helpful tips check out the National Fire Protection Association: