Mobile Home Safety
(also called manufactured housing)

Last Revised 03/15/2005

The size, floorplan, or materials used in this type of construction may allow fires and smoke to spread very fast in manufactured homes.

Here's how you can help keep your home safe:

  1. Install smoke detectors.  Place one at each end of the home and outside each sleeping area.  To avoid false alarms, do not place near cooking area in kitchen. Test your detectors frequently.
  2. Buy and maintain fire extinguishers.  Have at least two on hand.  The ABC type can be used on all fires.
  3. Install Pop-Out windows.  Windows should be at least 5 square feet (46.45 square decimeters), and no higher than 4 feet (1.22 meters) above the floor.  If no Pop-Out windows, than have an object nearby to break out the window.
  4. Don't block exit doors.  Never put furniture to close to the exits.  Also never seal off exits.
  5. Use fire retardants.  Spray this on fabric, paneling, etc.  This will slow the spread of travel of a fire.  Respray after washing item.  Remember this may only slow the rate of travel, not stop a fire from starting,  don't become over-confident here.
  6. Consider fire sprinklers.  Ask your local fire department for recommendations.
  7. Teach your family about fire safety, and have a fire escape plan and practice it.
  8. Teach children how to open windows and where to meet outside if they should have to leave the home by themselves.
  • In the advent of a fire, never go back into the home after leaving. Before going into another room, feel the doors before opening them and if there is smoke or heat, slam the door closed.  Then escape through the window.  Stay low, craw on your hands and knees.
    •


         Return to Public Safety Tips Index

    This page created May 6, 1998 by Dennis Gifford
    was last updated
    03/15/2005