(NC) --  House fires are more common than we think, so there's no time like the present to stop and evaluate the different safety measures you have in place. Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6 to 12, so here are some helpful protection tips to get you started:

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Check them once a month, clean them every six months and change the batteries at least once a year. For added safety, install smoke alarms on all levels of your home, primarily near bedrooms.

• Have a fire escape plan for your family and practice it. Also make sure everyone in your household knows where your designated meeting place is outside.

• Make sure all of your electrical appliances and cords have a recognized seal of approval, like the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It's also a good idea to use appliances that have an automatic shut-off.

• Check electrical cords, replacing ones that are cracked or frayed. Also, never overload electrical outlets with too many extension cords.

• Check your residential fire extinguisher and ensure it is stored in an easy to access location in case of emergency.

• When renovating or building, use fire resistant materials to increase the level of safety in the home. Very popular, for example, is a Roxul product called Safe n' Sound insulation and as a quality, stone wool product it is non-combustible with a melting temperature of 1177°C.

The Fire Marshal's Public Safety Council (firesafetycouncil.com), Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (cafc.ca), and Fire Prevention Canada (fiprecan.ca) are all excellent resources for safety tips.

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