Every 45 seconds someone’s home catches fire. As the seconds tick, a single spark often grows into a blazing fire -- racing from room to room, damaging and destroying whatever may lie in its path.

What makes the situation even worse is that fire experts believe most home fires easily could be prevented. Most are caused by carelessness -- and might not occur if people would take just a few minutes to learn and practice fire prevention in their homes.

This guide outlines many basic fire prevention practices you and your family should know. It highlights important steps to follow to prevent fire in your home, and protect you and your belongings. To get your home into fire safety shape, walk through your home on a fire prevention inspection using this guide. Keep your home in fire safety shape with regular inspection updates.

No place is safe from fire. Lets take a few minutes now to go through your home, room by room, to put safe fire practices to work.

Watch a stove constantly while broiling or frying. Never pour water on burning cooking oil or fat -- it spreads the flames. Smother the flaming pan with a lid, or use a fire extinguisher. Don’t try to carry the flaming pan outside. You may burn yourself or spill the grease, spreading the fire.

Turn pot handles away from the stove edge so children can’t pull them down and you can’t accidentally bump them.

If an appliance doesn’t work properly, don’t take a chance using it -- have it serviced. Don’t use an electric appliance if your hands or shoes are wet.

Never use a fork or other piece of silverware in a toaster. Try wooden tongs instead and unplug it first.

Don’t store frequently used items over the stove. It’s easy to get burned reaching over a hot stove.

If your smoke detector sounds off because of smoke while you’re cooking, and you turn it off, remember to turn it on again when you finish cooking. If it sound off often when you’re cooking, move it permanently to another location away from the kitchen.

Smoking is the leading cause of home fire-related deaths. Make a firm rule not to allow anyone to smoke in bed.

Sleep with doors closed to keep out smoke and fumes that can overcome you while you sleep.

Allow air space around the TV and stereo to prevent overheating.

Always use a metal screen in front of a fireplace, and have the chimney checked and cleaned regularly. Throw out ashes in a metal container.

If people have been smoking, check chairs and sofa cushions for cigarette or cigar butts and ashes which can smolder. Check extra carefully after you have guests.

The majority of home fires are caused by heating hazards. Have your heating equipment checked yearly.

Don’t store paper, rags or flammables near heating equipment. Keep the area around heaters clear and accessible.

Don’t use or store gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids indoors. Store them outside in safety cans with self-closing lids.

Replace a blown-out fuse with a fuse the correct size. A 15 AMP fuse is correct for most lighting circuits.

Don’t thaw frozen water pipes with open flames. Use hot water or blow dryer.

Keep a wood-shop area free of soiled rags and wood shavings.

Keep the Fire Department phone number on or near each phone.

Keep matches in a place where children can’t reach them and away from heat sources.

Be sure a cigarette or match is cold before discarding. Don’t discard in a waste basket.

Make sure all electrical appliances and cords bear the seal of approval of the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This means they have passed certain safety tests.

Don’t overload outlets. Too many plugs in an outlet can generate too much heat and start a fire in the wiring or wall. If you need more outlets, have an electrician install them.

Don’t let electrical cords get wet, and don’t leave them where people can trip over them. It’s also dangerous to put electrical cords under carpets where then can become damaged and go unnoticed. Replace cords when they become frayed.

Only use an extension cord the same thickness or thicker than the cord you want to extend.

Never use a two-prong extension cord with a three-prong plug.

If you have children, use outlet covers to keep their fingers out.

Unplug appliances when not in use and when you’re on vacation.