Fires can start at any time for many reasons. Some common causes of fires are: poor or faulty wiring-both house wiring and wiring for appliances; cigarettes left unattended; to much "clutter" left too close to a heat source (e.g. rags & paper left near the hot water heater or furnace). IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE..... Immediately dial 911. Do not wait until you have attempted to extinguish the fire. This will only succeed in delaying response if your attempt to put the fire out is unsuccessful. After the dispatcher answers the 911 call, remain CALM and tell the telecommunicator what the problem is and give your address clearly with any special directions for reaching your home. If possible have someone stand at the roadway to watch for the responding agencies. Do this only if it can be done safely. GET every one out of the house. This should be done while somebody is dialing 911. If it is a small fire you may decide to extinguish the fire yourself. Do this only after you or someone else has called or is calling 911, and you know what you are doing and you have the proper class fire extinguisher for the fire. DO NOT USE WATER ON A GREASE FIRE!! If the attempt to put out the fire fails, do not attempt to extinguish the fire further. If it is a large fire evacuate immediately. Don't attempt to put the fire out. Have and know all escape routes for your home, school and office. If you don't have a plan, make one, complete with meeting places. Practice the plan(s). Practice makes perfect and helps keep every one remain calm when they know what to do. Teach all children that are old enough to use the phone how to dial 911 or other emergency numbers and what they need to say. Also make sure that they know a parent's first name in case they are asked. When you contact 911 make sure you follow the steps listed in the the first bullet and do the following: give the size of the fire if you know; if you are calling from a location other that where the problem is, the address where the fire is; type of fire if known; whether or not anybody is injured or burned, if injured describe type of injury or severity of the burn if the victim is burned; or if anybody is still in the building. This information helps those responding get the proper equipment and gives them time to prepare a possible strategy for saving your home or business. Give aid to those that are injured or burned if possible. DO NOT reenter a burning building for pets or animals, they will find a way out. Nature has provided them with a keen "sense of escape" Most importantly remember to stay calm, this is the most important yet hardest thing to do. Hysterics only compound the problem by adding confusion. This page is designed as a guide only. For complete information contact your local fire department or fire marshal.