Prevention Tips

  • Flammable vapors come from flammable liquids like gasoline. These vapors can ignite very easily - with only a spark!
  • Fires caused by flammable vapors are chemical fires.
  • Never pour water on a chemical fire because water will spread the flames.
  • Use only Type B or Type A-B-C fire extinguisher to put out flammable liquids or chemical fires.
  • Remember, where smoke is present get down low and crawl under the smoke. Know an escape route from every sleeping room. Practice escape drills frequently.
  • Sleep with bedroom doors closed. If awakened by your smoke alarm, feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it! If it is hot or you see smoke, keep the door closed.
  • If you cannot use the door to escape, keep it closed and stuff sheets or clothing under the door. This should help keep smoke out of the room. Wait next to the window for rescue by firefighters.
  • Fire can be scary, but do not hide! When you see men dressed in "Space Suits" don't be scared. These are firefighters coming to help you. They are your friends.
  • A safe escape from a fire is important. Never go back into a burning building. Have a safe, predetermined place to meet and remain there.
  • Keep all combustibles away from ignition sources.
  • Keep curtains and other ignitable items far away from the kitchen stove.
  • Never attempt to extinguish a grease fire on the stove with water! Smother the fire with a lid, use salt or other materials (fire extinguisher!) to extinguish the fire.
  • Remember, all fires produce smoke and other products of combustion. These products rise to the ceiling then fill an area from the top down. Remain low, close to the floor where the air is cooler and less smoky. Crawl to the closest exit and leave the building.
  • Smoke detectors save lives…but only if properly installed and energized. Call the Gainesville Fire Department for information or assistance, 770-534-3612. We'll be glad to help!
  • Smoke detector placement is important. Protect sleeping areas from the remainder of the dwelling. Place at least one detector on each level. Call the Gainesville Fire Department for further information, 770-534-3612.
  • Smoke detectors have a safe operating life of 10 years. If you have a unit 10 years or older, replace the unit soon. In its lifetime it has performed 3.5 million cycles.
  • The most frequent cause for smoke detector failure is forgetting to replace the batteries. Replacing of all your detector batteries in the spring and fall as the time changes assures a full charge; especially during the winter fire season, when most residential fires occur.
  • Be alert for the child's behavior of a potential fire setter. They fall into four major categories: Curious firesetters, Troubled firesetters, Delinquent firesetters, and Severely Disturbed Firesetters. If you suspect there is a possible problem of any type in your family, call the Gainesville Fire Department for more information, 770-534-3612.
  • During the home heating season check furnaces, vents chimneys, and flues to make sure they are all in proper working order. Use a fireplace screen and clear area of ashes weekly. Place ashes in a metal container and keep far away from the building and off combustible surfaces.
  • In 1999, Georgia reported 108 deaths by fire. In 2000 Georgia reported approximately 90 deaths by fire. Remember, smoke detectors save lives.
screenshot of google map reporting fire fatalities for 2021

Fire Fatality Report

This interactive map published by Georgia's Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, displays annual historical data from 2011–2021 for the number of fatalities per county.