Home Safety Resources

Home Fire Escape Plans

Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

If you haven't already, be sure to sign your household up for Community Connect. It's free, and will help us help you!

Escape Plan Grid

Escape Planning Tips

For more information about why it's important to close your door at night, please visit closeyourdoor.org

Still need help? We offer free home safety checks! Find out more information here

Lithium Ion Batteries

What are lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries supply power to many kinds of devices including smartphones, power tools, laptops, e-bikes, boats, gold carts, e-cigarettes, hoverboards, cars, toys, and more.

Why is this a problem?

These batteries store a large amount of energy in a small amount of space
Batteries not used correctly or not used for the intended purpose can be dangerous
Like any other product, a small number of these batteries are defective. They can overheat, catch fire, or explode

Safety tips:

When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storage; Only use the manufacturer's cord and power adapter made specifically for the device
Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or a couch
Keep batteries/devices at room temperature and away from anything flammable; Do not place in direct sunlight

Stop using the battery if it overheats or if you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises. If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.

If the device catches on fire, close the door to the room and exit immediately

Printable Lithium Ion Batteries Safety Tips

Battery disposal

Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling at home
Recycle batteries by taking them to: Orange Beach Public Works Dept- 7394 Roscoe Road
Individually bag batteries or tape the ends before disposing
Do not put discarded batteries in piles

Hurricane Preparedness

In a disaster, local officials and first responders cannot reach everyone immediately. Help may not arrive for hours or days. Please be sure you prepare ahead of time

Hurricane Preparedness