A fire can occur in any part of your home!

Use this checklist to make a fire-safety check of your home.

• Develop a home escape plan that includes:
• Two exits out of every room
• An outside meeting place (tree, mailbox, etc.)
• Practice escape plan with every member
• Escape using the nearest safe exit
• Escape and exit away from smoke
• If room is full of smoke, crawl low to exit
• Teach all family members how to:
  Call 9-1-1 in an emergency
  (State your name, location & type of emergency)

Smoking Materials & Candles

• Never leave cigarettes or candles unattended
• Purchase and use ashtrays that have the center support feature
• Empty ashtrays into noncombustible containers only and water soak
• Never smoke in bed or when drowsy
• Place candles in noncombustible, sturdy holders
• Never leave candles unattended
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children

Heating Equipment & Fireplace

• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from all combustibles
• Never leave space heaters unattended, turn off while sleeping
• Replace furnace filters regularly
• Never use oven/cookstove for home heating
• Clean lint from behind clothes dryer
• Install a spark screen on fireplace opening
• Have chimney inspected/cleaned annually
• Install a spark arrester on chimney
• Burn only clean, dry firewood
• Dispose of ashes in metal containers and water soak
• Keep newspapers, other combustibles, and clutter away from water heater/furnace

Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home
• Test smoke alarms once a month
  (Hint: use a broom handle to reach & push test button)
• Replace smoke alarm batteries twice a year
  (Hint: use each time-change as a reminder)
• Replace smoke alarm units every 10 years

Fire Extinguishers

• Purchase a multipurpose (ABC) extinguisher
• Teach your family how to use a fire extinguisher
  (Use P.A.S.S.: Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
• Fight fire with a safe exit behind you
• Inspect extinguishers annually

Cooking

• Never leave cooking unattended
• Cuff sleeves and turn pot handles inward when cooking to avoid burn injuries
• If your clothes catch fire, Stop, Drop, and Roll
• Never store combustibles in oven or on top of stove
• When barbequing, move unit away from the house
• Dispose of coals/ashes in metal containers

Exterior

• Make sure yourrhouse number is visible from street
• Trim trees away from electrical wires
• Trim trees away from chimney and remove all pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves & rain gutters
• Keep lawn mowed a minimum of 30 feet surrounding house

Electrical

• Avoid overloading electrical circuits
• Inspect electrical cords and appliances for damage
• Do not tack cords to the wall or run them under rugs
• Maintain air space around electrical equipment, such as, TV, VCR, stereo, etc.
• Install additional outlets, by a qualified electrician, to avoid using cube taps and extension cords
• Extension cords are only for temporary use
• Use only the kind that have a built-in circuit breaker

Hazardous Materials

• Limit the amount of chemicals stored
• Dispose of and recycle household hazardous materials properly
• Store hazardous materials in proper containers with tight-fitting lids and correct identification labels
• Store hazardous materials away from heat sources
• Allow for proper ventilation when using flammable liquids and hazardous materials
• Gasoline and other fuels are only used as fuels for engines and proper appliances
• Put oily rags in metal containers with tight-fitting lids, not in a pile where they can spontaneously ignite