Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoke alarms, smolder-resistant bedding and upholstered furniture are significant fire deterrents. Here are some steps you can take to keep yourself and your family safe from creating a fire by smoking materials.

• Smoke outside. Many things in your home can catch fire if they touch something hot like a cigarette or ashes. It is always safer to smoke outside
• Put cigarettes out all the way – every time. Don’t walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials. Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure they are really out before you put them in the trash
• Be alert. Do not smoke after taking medicine that makes you tired. You may not be able to prevent or escape from a fire if you are sleepy or have taken medicine that makes you tired
• Never smoke around medical oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near. Even if the oxygen is turned off, it can still catch on fire
• Never smoke in bed. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily. Do not smoke in bed because you might fall asleep with a lit cigarette. Replace mattresses made prior to the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard
• Put your cigarette out in an ashtray or bucket with sand. Use large, deep ashtrays with wide lips. While smaller ashtrays may be more attractive, they are not safe. Cigarettes can roll off the edge, and the ashes can easily be blown away
• Do not put ashtrays on the arms of sofas or chairs
• Do not leave cigarettes, cigars, or pipes unattended. Put out all smoking materials before you walk away
• Close a matchbook before striking and hold it away from your body. Set your cigarette lighter on "low" flame to prevent burns
• If friends or relatives who smoke have paid you a visit, be sure to check on the floor and around chair cushions for ashes that may have been dropped accidentally
• Store matches and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet
• Do not put ashtrays in a location where children or pets could knock them over