Fire Safety for In-Home Parties

When you're throwing a party in your home, the last thing you're thinking about is the potential for fire. It does happen, however, for that very reason. When you aren't paying attention to potential fire hazards, fires can start and spread before you're any the wiser, even when the source is a tiny flame. Following are a few tips for fire safety during your in-home party.

Keep Fire Extinguishers Handy
Before the night of your party, make sure you have plenty of fire extinguishers and that each is in working order. Fire extinguishers should be distributed throughout the rooms in which party goers will be congregating, particularly those where food is being cooked or flames will be lit. Don't just think about your grill and your kitchen; many people light candles during parties or have elaborate centerpieces. Just in case something happens and one of those flames gets out of control, keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach.

Clear Areas Around Flames
Sparks can jump and people can get careless, so don't let in the opportunity for a fire. Wherever there is an open flame, make sure that the area immediately surrounding it is clear. Paper plates, tissue and wrapping paper, table cloths and other items are excellent kindling for a fire. If you don't want your party to go up in flames, make sure that fires have room to breathe and that any fire which might produce sparks is carefully protected.

Keep the Numbers Down
Throwing a party in your home means being responsible about the number of guests. Too many people in one room can easily disguise a spreading fire, and if no one has a clear path to the door, you've put everyone in danger. If you're going to have hundreds of people at your party, rent out a rec room or another facility rather than using your home. Make sure that guests are distributed throughout your rooms and that exits aren't blocked by equipment, gifts or people.

Watch Out for Rowdiness
This is especially common among parties held by young people. Parties thrown in the home have the potential for arguments or general rowdiness to break out, which could mean that someone falls near a flame and starts a fire. Make sure that everyone is behaving peaceably and that no one is "roughhousing" near an open flame. Ideally, you should keep people at least five feet from an open flame whenever possible.

Check Fire Alarms
Before you hold your party, be sure to check fire alarms in every room to make sure they are in working order. Fire alarm batteries must be replaced, so purchase new ones if necessary. You should also be careful not to arrange a cooking area directly beneath a fire alarm so that you don't have a false alarm during the party.

Carefully Choose the Cooking Location
Wherever you decide to cook during your party, make sure there aren't any drapes or other potential items to catch fire anywhere near a grill or stove. If you're going to cook outside, follow the instructions that came with the grill to be sure that you won't catch your deck, the grass or nearby foliage on fire during your cook-out.

While you probably won't have anything to worry about, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you're aware of the dangers of fire during in-home parties, you'll be much better equipped to prevent them.