9) Keep furnaces and gas water heaters clear of piled-up boxes or any other combustibles.

10) Keep baseboard and electric space heaters free of hanging curtains and by all means avoid using them to dry such items as mittens and socks.

11) Have your chimney cleaned each year to prevent creosote build-up and inspect it frequently for obstructions and damage.

12) Test your smoke detector batteries regularly.

13) Don?t overload your electrical outlets and never run extensions under a carpet.

14) Never replace a burnt fuse with a penny.

15) Finally, plan and practice an escape route with your family and agree upon a round-up area to make sure everyone is accounted for during an emergency.

Heather Diodati, owner of DDesign, is the creator/distributor of the Pet Computer Virus, a novelty designed for the computer user; as well as other unique computer novelties; and Whimsies! Personalized Cartoon Designs for all occasions. Sign up for our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free time management gift, The Memory Jogger System; and if you looooove ballroom dancing be sure to subscribe to Dancing On Air ezine, for your free gift, The Dancer's Notebook! http://www.whimsies-online.com

? 2003 DDesign Reprints of this article are free of charge as long as you include the author portion of the text.

About the Author

Heather Diodati, owner of DDesign, is the creator/distributor of the Pet Computer Virus, a novelty designed for the computer user;cas well as other unique computer novelties; and Whimsies! Personalized Cartoon Designs for all occasions. Sign up for our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free Memory Jogger System; and if you looooove ballroom dancing be sure to subscribe to Dancing On Air ezine, for your free gift, The Dancer's Notebook! http://www.whimsies-online.com