Homeowners Checklist – How to Make your Home Fire Safe

INSIDE:

1. Kitchen
   – Keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen
   – Maintain electric and gas stoves in good operating condition
   – Keep baking soda on hand to extinguish stove-top grease fires
   – Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the front of the stove
   – Install curtains and towel holders away from stoveburners
   – Store matches and lighters out of reach of children
   – Make sure that electrical outlets are designed to handle appliance loads
2. Living Room
   – Install a screen in front of fireplace or wood stove
   – Store the ashes from your fireplace (and barbecue) in a metal container and dispose of only when cold
   – Clean fireplace chimneys and flues at leas once a year
3. Hallway
   – Install smoke detectors between living and sleeping areas
   – Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year, when clocks are changed in the spring and fall
   – Replace electrical cords that do not work properly, have loose connections, or are frayed
4. Bedroom
   – If you sleep with the door closed, install a smoke detector in the bedroom
   – Turn off electric blankets and other electrical appliances when not in use
   – Do not smoke in bed
   – If you have security bards on your windows or doors, be sure they have an approved quick release mechanism so you and your family can get out in the event of a fire
5. Bathroom
   – Disconnect appliances such as curling irons and hair dryers when done; store in a safe location until cool
   – Keep items such as towels away from wall and floor heaters
6. Garage
   – Mount a working fire extinguisher in the garage
   – Have tools such as a shovel, hoe, rake, and bucket available for use in a wildfire emergency
   – Install a solid door with self-closing hinges between living areas and the garage
   – Dispose of oily rags in Underwriters Laboratories approved metal containers
   – Store all combustibles away from ignition sources such as water heaters
   – Disconnect electrical tools and appliances when not in use
   – Allow hot tools such as glue guns and soldering irons to cool before storing
   – Properly store flammable liquids in approved containers and away from ignition sources such as pilot lights
   
   *Disaster Preparedness*
   – Maintain at least a three-day supply of drinking water, and food that does not require refrigeration and generally does not need cooking
   – Maintain a portable radio, flashlight, emergency cooking equipment, lanterns and batteries
   – Outdoor cooking appliances such as barbecues should never be taken indoors for use as heaters
   – Maintain first aid supplies to treat the injured until help arrives
   – Keep a list of valuables to take with you in an emergency; if possible, store these valuables together
   – For safety, securely attach all water heaters and furniture such as cabinets and bookshelves to walls
   – Have a contingency plan to enable family members to contact each other. Establish a family/friend phone tree
   – Designate an emergency meeting place outside your home
   – Practice emergency exit drills in the house (EDITH) regularly
   – Make sure that all family members understand how to STOP, DROP, AND ROLL if their clothes should catch fire