Testing smoke detectors regularly and replacing those that are 10 years old is a must, according to Fire Marshall Sullivan. He urged BANA members to place a smoke detector in every bedroom and in the hall outside a bedroom. He said many fires are caused by unattended candles, cooking pots or space heaters.
Every family should have an evacuation plan and should practice it with their children. If the children stay with grandparents, they should know how to exit that home as well.
Other tips shared included how to store 9-volt batteries. The positive and negative posts are close together. If a metal object touches the two posts, it can cause a short circuit and make enough heat to spark a fire. Store the batteries in the original packaging away from other items.