Firefighters responded to two alarm calls near Mount Tabor. Dave Killen/The Oregonian

Prepare the outside of your home in spring and summer to prevent fires from breaking out or spreading. Now, security experts want you to take a closer look at the inside of your home to eliminate potential hazards and make sure you have the equipment you need, from the correct fire extinguisher to carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms at work.

Portland Fire & Rescue has a safety checklist, which includes removing debris and other unnecessary combustibles, and ensuring that electrical and heating equipment are in good working order and will not overheat.

It is also important to develop an escape plan. Make sure that everyone in your home knows how to leave the building safely, where you will be reunited, and how you will connect with each other if your phone is forgotten.

Escape plans can save lives, including firefighters, who may risk rescuing people who are already safe outside.

Alex Forte, a fire safety expert at The Home Depot, recommends that you conduct a fire drill together and make sure that the children know the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it.

>How to ensure your home is fireproof: tips and tools

The following are additional steps that Forte recommends you take now to improve your safety at home:

The Portland Fire Department stated that 65% of home fire deaths occurred in homes without smoke alarms. In the event of a fire, the smoke will spread quickly, and the alarm will give you time to escape.

Forte said, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the right places in your home, and replace the batteries before these devices beep or lose power.

An easy way to remember when to replace a smoke alarm is to "throw at 10 o'clock. Then start again." The National Fire Protection Association recommends that every smoke alarm be replaced after 10 years, or if it does not respond correctly during testing. Replace early.

If you are moving to a new home and are not sure about the age of the smoke alarm, the safest thing to do is to replace it.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of your home, including bedrooms, kitchens and basements. Forte said the smoke alarms are tested monthly and the batteries are replaced at least once a year.

Some alarms combine smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, such as Kidde 10 Years Worry-Free Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Combination Detectors with voice alarms ($49.97 at Home Depot, saving $10).

The combined detector has a voice warning function. When any one of them is detected, it will give out a "fire" or "warning of carbon monoxide" prompt.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. The Portland Fire Department stated that sources of carbon monoxide include:

Forte said that fire extinguishers can be used to extinguish small, controlled fires or to open a path to safety.

The higher the level of the fire extinguisher, the stronger your fire fighting ability. Different types of fire extinguishers are needed for the kitchen, upstairs and garage.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you install at least one 2-A:10-B:C fire extinguisher every 40 feet in your home. For garages, the association recommends the use of 3-A:40-B:C fire extinguishers.

Kidde Code One fire extinguisher, with mounting bracket and strap, 5-B:C rated basic use can enjoy a 34% discount ($9.88; regular price: $14.97).

When using a fire extinguisher, stand six to eight feet away from the fire and follow the four-step PASS technique:

Portable fire extinguishers can help save lives, but there may be some restrictions when using them. People should only use portable fire extinguishers in the following situations:

According to the Portland Fire and Rescue Organization, due to the combination of heat and accumulated dryer lint and dust, dryer vents cause thousands of fires in the United States each year.

Look for warning signs of lint accumulation, such as your clothes taking longer to dry, the dry clothes are too hot to touch, or you notice a burning smell in the laundry room.

Your dryer vents should be cleaned at least once a year to ensure the safety of your home. Forte said to follow these steps:

Disconnect the dryer: Locate the vent on the back of the dryer. You should also find the dryer vent on the outside of your home. When you find it, unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. Disconnect the dryer pipe from the back of the dryer.

Vacuum the vent: Put on safety gloves and use the vacuum hose attachment to remove the lint from the hole on the back of the dryer. Remove the lint from the pipe by hand, and then use a vacuum cleaner to dry the inside of the dryer pipe extension (if any) to remove as much dust as possible. Next go to the external vent cover and use a vacuum to clean the dryer vent.

Brush out the vent: The best way to clean the dryer duct is to put the cleaning brush inside and move it back and forth while rotating it slightly. Extend the brush as needed and continue until the vents are free of dust and lint.

Reconnect the dryer: Check the ducts to make sure they are not damaged, then reconnect the duct system and vent caps. Push the dryer back to its original position and insert it. To test the dryer, run it on the fluff or air-dry setting for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure that all connections are secure and to remove any remaining debris.

Avoid fluff accumulation: Perform routine maintenance, such as regularly cleaning and dusting the area around the dryer, and removing the fluff screen and using a hose attachment to vacuum the inside and around the fluff filter.

The Portland Fire and Rescue Organization recommends to you:

For more information, please visit portlandoregon.gov/fire/58348

— Tell Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

What you need to know about house inventory and insurance after a fire or other disaster

Note to readers: If you purchase goods through one of our affiliate links, we may earn commissions.

Registering on this website or using this website means accepting our user agreement, privacy policy, and cookie statement, and your California privacy rights (the user agreement was updated on January 1, 21. The privacy policy and cookie statement was in May 2021 Update on the 1st).

© 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (about us). Without the prior written permission of Advance Local, the materials on this website may not be copied, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

Community rules apply to all content that you upload or otherwise submit to this website.