FIRE SAFETY TIPS CAN SAVE LIVES.

When a fire starts in a home or business, the occupants may have only a couple of minutes to escape. Hansen Enterprises, a Paso Robles, Calif.-based fire alarm company, advocates the following safety tips:

* In the event of a fire, get out; stay out; and call for help.

* Develop a fire safety plan and practice it at least twice a year. The plan should include escape routes from every room and a meeting-spot a safe distance from the home or business. Include pets in the plan.

* Teach and practice "stop, drop, and roll."

* Fire departments and the local Red Cross chapter often have fire safety resources--such as recommended safety plans, and regulations concerning detectors and alarms--available.

* Check with local schools, fire departments, and community centers to find out if fire safety training is available. If not, ask if a school district, Are department, or community recreation department would be willing to help sponsor this type of training. Resources could include representatives from the Red Cross, local emergency response teams, and fire and police departments.

* Do not leave open flames on stoves, grills, candles, and fireplaces unattended and be sure the flames are out when no longer needed.

* Do not leave children and pets unsupervised near open flames.

* Remove lint from the dryer filter after every use to prevent backed-up lint from getting onto...