Organizing clutter in our homes is important as it creates space and gives us peace and happiness. It can also help to prevent fires. As we go about organizing clutter from room to room I suggest we also take a look at what we can do to keep our homes free from fires. October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week. The theme is "Prevent Home Fires". Let's take a look at some of the things we can do to keep our families and our homes safe from fires.

In the Liberty Lines newsletter from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Glenn Richards, a former firefighter offers these tips on small appliances safety:

·Always follow the manufacturer's operating instruction.

·Never use an appliance with a frayed, worn or damaged cord.

·Plug appliances directly into the outlet; avoid adapters and extension cords.

·Look for new safety features on appliances you buy.

As a professional organizer I admit I am conscientious about organizing clutter in my home and in other people's homes but I have used an appliance with a worn cord and I just taped it with electrical tape. And I use extension cords all the time. But I am serious about not having any fires in my home so I am turning over a new leaf starting right now. I hope you will too.

·Don't allow children to play with appliances.

·When buying small appliances, look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark. These have been tested by an independent laboratory for public safety and they meet applicable requirements.

·Unplug small appliances when not using them. You'll save energy and won't have to worry about whether you left them on when you leave home. I had a friend who left her clothes iron on and left her home for four days. When they returned they felt very lucky their house hadn't caught on fire. Even if the appliance has an auto shut-off feature, turn it off in case it malfunctions.

Did you know a clothes iron can get hot enough to ignite combustible items? Never leave a hot iron unattended, and when it is hot that it doesn't come in contact with items you're not pressing.

Before I was a professional organizer I did child abuse investigations and curling iron burns were some of the worst burns I saw. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there are 5,400 emergency room treatments for curling iron burns to the eye area each year. Use your curling or flat iron carefully, keep hot irons away from children. Children can quietly come into a room and yank on the cord and have the iron fall on them. Be aware even if you don't think a child is in the room, if the door is open and you're using a styling iron, be cautious.

Richards and the National Fire Protection Association offer these guidelines to stay warm and cozy when the temperature drops: Use space heaters with care. Place them on a firm, sturdy, noncombustible surface at least three feet from flammable objects such as wallpaper, draperies and papers. And of course always turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep. One of the most common types of fires starts when someone is asleep and kicks the covers onto a space heater that has been left on. He also advises never use a stove top or oven to heat your home Richards says, "Don't compromise your safety."

This is wise advice for all of us. As a professional organizer clearing clutter and creating space in homes I know I will be more aware of fire prevention to help keep families safe.

Marilyn's bio: Marilyn is a creative organizer who helps women, seniors and their families create space and end clutter in their homes and offices by setting up custom made systems. Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find solutions to your organizing needs. She offers free tips in her blogs, articles and videos for your home and office organizing solutions.