Fire Safety Guide:
Home, Product, and Commercial

Building fires and explosions have the potential to cause severe damage, injuries, and death. Since the start of 2025, the American Red Cross has responded to nearly 6,000 house fires. Outside of this, U.S. fire departments respond to 360,000 home fires a year—one every 87 seconds.

Children, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to harm in the event of a fire due to their limited mobility and greater susceptibility to injury. Whether you are a parent or an employer, this emphasizes the importance of being prepared for an emergency in the home or office before it happens.

Understanding fire safety—including common hazards and critical response steps—can help you prepare for worst-case scenarios. Read our fire safety guide to learn more, or schedule a consultation today for help with your case.

Common Causes of Fire Accidents and How To Prevent Them

There are several primary causes of home and workplace fires that can be prevented. Being aware of these can enable you to observe your surroundings and environment more intently, allowing you to spot signs of potential dangers or risks. These causes include:

Never leave a turned-on cooking appliance, candle, or cigarette unattended. Each of these items has the potential to start a fire if it catches something flammable, like a towel or piece of paper.

Home Fire Safety Tips

A house fire can result in severe property damage and injuries to the inhabitants. Cooking appliances, candles, and other household items are commonly the cause of these. You can help prevent a fire in the home by doing the following:

Install fire alarms: All fire alarms should be properly placed and regularly tested. Additionally, ensure that you change the batteries as needed.
Keep a fire extinguisher in the home: Make sure your extinguisher is located in a readily accessible spot out of reach of children and animals. This could be a cabinet or closet with child-safety locks.
Create a home fire escape plan: Practice your plan with those in your household, making sure everyone knows the exit routes.
Maintain safe cooking practices and follow kitchen guidelines: Always practice safe cooking and kitchen procedures, such as keeping flammable items away from the stove, never leaving cooking unattended, and turning off appliances after use.
Preventing dryer and chimney fires: Remember to empty the lint buildup from your dryer and to properly ventilate and clean your chimney.

How Children Can Be Prepared for a Home Fire

Parents and caretakers can take steps to prepare their children or individuals with disabilities for a house fire. This begins with providing visible signs and clear instructions about what to do and where to go in the case of an emergency. You can take the following precautions listed below:

Teach stop, drop, and roll
Practice fire drills at home
Make an escape plan with pictures
Childproof electrical outlets and matches or lighters
Use a downloadable kid-friendly checklist or a printable activity

Review instructions regularly to make sure everyone understands them correctly and avoids confusion. It’s also important to update your plan as circumstances change. For example, if you move, be sure to revise the escape plan and review it with everyone in the household.

Workplace Fire Safety Tips

Fires aren’t limited to homes. These emergencies can take place within the workplace. Some tips to help manage fire accidents at workplaces include the following:

Follow OSHA fire safety requirements
Practice electrical safety
Store flammable materials properly
Use exit signage, fire doors, and clear pathways
Provide fire extinguisher training and documentation
Create employee evacuation plans

Commercial fires don’t only happen in an office. Severe burn injuries from a fire can occur in other settings, such as an oilfield, industrial plant, or construction site.

Fight or Flight: Knowing When To Leave the Premises

As an employer, you need to prepare your employees for safety in the event of a fire. This includes rehearsing fire drills and practicing general safety around the workplace. Being prepared for an emergency is the first step in preventing injuries. The most important information to provide your employees and include in manuals and emergency protocols includes:

How to safely exit
When and how to use a fire extinguisher
Staying low to avoid smoke inhalation
When to call 911
What to do if you are trapped

After the Fire: What To Do Next

It may take a while before a fire outbreak is contained. Because of this, it’s essential to know what to do when the fire has been put out. Your team can participate in safety checks before re-entering a property, document any damage for insurance purposes and contact the fire department to obtain a copy of the report. You can also get in touch with fire damage cleanup resources such as removal services for debris, hazardous materials, and soot.

Fire Safety Products To Consider

Whether at home, school, or the workplace, several products are essential for managing and preventing a fire outbreak, including:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers (ABC-rated, kitchen-specific)
Fire blankets
Smart fire alarms and monitoring systems
Home sprinkler systems
Heat alarms

Home fire escape plans
Fire suppressant aerosols or sprays
Fire escape ladders
Emergency lighting
Surge protectors with circuit breakers

Resources After a Fire Accident

Here are key resources, including fact sheets, fire safety information, and other important materials, to help you prepare for a fire emergency.

Mental Health Support After a Fire

Experiencing a house or office fire can be traumatic, no matter how small the incident. Whether it happens at work, at home, or while running errands, these emergencies can lead to emotional distress or post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the aftermath of an event such as this, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. If you find yourself having a difficult time emotionally, consider speaking with a psychiatrist, therapist, or support group. These resources can be incredibly beneficial and offer much-needed support.

Shamieh Law Is Here for You After a Fire

Our compassionate team at Shamieh Law can help you navigate the aftermath of a residential or commercial fire. We know how to navigate the complex insurance process to help protect your rights and secure fair compensation.

These incidents may stem from complicated legal matters, such as product liability. If you or your loved one needs support or you wish to know more about our fire safety guide, do not hesitate to contact our law office today.

Fire Safety Guide: Home, Product, and Commercial