Fire Safety Tips

by Angie King
St. Johns Allstate Agent
​ 904.217.8430

Our local Allstate Agency would like to share some tips with you.  A fire can happen when we least expect it, and often, it starts with something small. The good news is most fires are preventable with a little extra awareness and preparation. By taking a few simple steps, we can all do our part to keep our homes, families, and community safe.






Common Causes of Fires

• Cooking accidents like leaving the stove unattended or letting grease get too hot.
• Electrical issues – such as overloaded outlets, bad outlets or worn-out cords.
• Heating equipment – space heaters placed too close to furniture or blankets. Avoid using if not absolutely necessary.
• Candles and smoking materials – open flames that aren’t fully put out.

Simple Prevention Tips

• Never leave cooking unattended. Even a quick trip away from the stove can be risky.
• Check cords and outlets. If a cord is frayed or an outlet feels hot, replace or repair it.  Have an electrician out every 3-5 years for an inspection.  If your home is 25-40+ years old, you should do this more frequently due to aging wiring and a higher risk of fire and safety issues.
• Give heaters space. Keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable.
• Blow out candles before leaving the room.
• Double-check smoking materials. Make sure they’re completely out before throwing them away.

Safety Must-Haves at Home

• Smoke alarms save lives! Install them on every level of your home and test them each month. Replace the batteries at least once per year because you know when they go bad it’s happening at 3am!
• Have a fire escape plan, make sure everyone in the household knows 2 ways out of each room, and practice together.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or two in the home.
• Close bedroom doors at night, closed doors can slow down smoke and flames.

If a Fire Happens

• Get out quickly and don’t go back for belongings.
• Call 911 right away.
• Stay low if there’s smoke. Crawl to the nearest exit.
• Close doors behind you to slow the spread of flames.

Together, We Can Stay Safe

Fire prevention is really about small, everyday choices that make a big difference. By practicing good habits and preparing ahead of time, we can all help protect what matters most—our families, our neighbors, and our community.  Making sure you have the right coverage in place is critical as well.  Typically when you need the coverage, it is too late to get it so make sure you are working with a local agent that will help educate you on coverages that will help you recover from life’s uncertainties.  We have had customers with near total losses due to a fire and coverages like loss of use, personal property, ordinance and law are just a few of the many important options you should have education from a professional on to make sure you have proper protection.  Let us give you a quote and show you how we show up for our clients when the unthinkable happens.  Are you in good hands?  You can be by calling or texting anytime to 904-217-8430. ​

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