How Fire Safe is YOUR Home?

Make fire safety a "family business" by involving the entire family in a fire safety inspection. Here's a comprehensive checklist to use as a guide. Check for fire hazards in your home. Correct any problems NOW.

Kitchen

• Matches stored out of reach of children
• No overloaded outlets or extension cords
• No curtains or towel racks close to the range
• Flammable liquids (cleaning fluids, contact adhesives, etc.) or aerosols stared away from the range or other heat source (Remember, even a pilot light can set vapors on fire.)
• No attractive or frequently used items stored above the range where someone could get burned reaching for them (especially small children in search of cookies or other goodies)
• No worn or frayed appliance or extension cords

Living Room, Family Room, Den, Bedrooms

• Matches and lighters stored out of reach of children
• Use only large ashtrays (small ashtrays are too dangerous)
• Empty ashtrays frequently (when all signs of heat and burning are gone)
• Fireplace kept screened and cleaned regularly
• Replace worn or frayed extension cords or other electrical cords
• No extension cords run under rugs or carpets or looped over nails or other sharp objects that could cause them to fray
• Sufficient air space around TV, stereo and other electronic equipment to avoid overheating
• Heating equipment kept three feet away from curtains, furniture, and papers
• No overloaded outlets or extension cords

Basement, Garage, Storage Areas

• No newspapers or other rubbish stored near furnace, water heater, or other heat source
• No oily, greasy rags stored, except when kept in labeled and sealed non-glass containers (preferably metal)
• No gasoline stored in the house or basement (It should be stored away from the house in an outbuilding and only in safety cans that have flame arresters and pressure-relief valves.)
• No flammable liquids stored near workbench or pilot light or in anything other than labeled, sealed metal containers (This includes varnish, paint remover, paint thinner, contact adhesives, cleaning fluids.)
• No overloaded outlets or extension cords
• All fuses of the correct size

Dangerous Actions

Do you allow unsafe habits? These guidelines may help your family become more safety aware.

• Wear close-fitting sleeves while cooking (No loose sleeves, shirts, blouses or skirts that may catch fire)
• Never leave cooking unattended
• Never play with matches or lighters
• Never use gasoline to start a fire in the grill or add lighter fluid to an already started fire
• No smoking in bed, or in a chair or on the sofa when tired, drinking or taking medication
• Never spray aerosols while smoking or near a space heater, range or other ignition source
• No smoking while using a cleaning fluid, paint thinner or other flammable liquid
• Never use a cigarette lighter after spilling flammable fluid on your hands or clothing
• Never reach over a range or climb onto a range to get something stored above it
• Never lean against a range for warmth or stand too close to a heater or fireplace
• Never let a small child blow out a match
• Never use a lighted match, lighter or candle to illuminate a dark area, such as a closet

Just for kids

Just click on one of the images below to download and print an activity and coloring page about fire safety.