Home Fire Safety Checklist

Do you allow only electricians to install or extend your wiring?
When you buy electrical equipment, e.g., extension cords, appliances, TV sets and all other devices, do you always look for the UL label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.?
Are there enough electrial outlets in every room to avoid the need for multiple attachment plugs and long extension cords?
Are there proper heat controls on your electrical appliances used for cooking?
Do you have special circuits on your heavy duty electrical appliances used for cooking?
Do you use only 15 amp fuses for your household lighting circuits?
Are all extension cords used in the open, e.g., not ran under rugs, over hooks or through partitions or door openings?

Do you keep your basement, closets and attics cleared of old rags, papers, mattresses, broken furniture and other combustible odds and ends?
If you use an oil mop, do you keep it in a well ventilated place where it will not catch fire by spontaneous heating?
After using oily polishing rags, do you destroy them or place them in covered metal cans?
Are lids on opened paints and solvent containers always tightly closed?
You never use gasoline and bezine for any purpose in the home?
Is gasoline always kept in a safety can with a self closing lid?
Are leaves and debris promptly removed on surrounding property?
Every fireplace is protected with a metal fire screen?

Matches are always stored out of the reach of children?
Matches are kept away from heaters, stoves and sources of heat?
Matches and cigarettes are always out before they are thrown away?
If applicable, every room in the home has plenty of large, fire proof ash trays?
"No Smoking in Bed" is a firm rule for everyone in the home?

Heating equipment has either a UL or American Gas Association label?
Do you have your heating systems inspected and serviced each session?
Are walls, ceilings and partitions near heating and cooking equipment either adequately separated from these sources of heat or protected by noncombustible insulation?
Are wood floors under stoves and heaters protected by insulation or ventilated air spaces?
Is your stove, including oven and broiler, kept clean of grease?
Are curtains near stoves and heating equipment arranged so as not to blow over them?
Are all heaters set level, and placed out of the way of traffic?
Do you always turn off portable oil or gas heaters when you go to bed?
Since gas and oil heaters use up oxygen as they burn, do you always keep a door or window slightly open in any room where such a heater is being used?
Do you always refill the fuel tank of your oil heaters and oil stove outside, and in the daylight?
Do you see that any portable heater is placed well away from curtains, bedding, furniture and other combustible materials?
Are the gas connections for portable heaters or other gas appliances made of metal?
Is the inside basement door at the end of the stairs properly fitted and kept closed at night?
Has everyone in the family been warned never to use kerosene or other flammable liquids to start a fire in the stove, fireplace, or furnace?
Is every fireplace equipped with a sturdy metal fire screen?

Do you keep your yard cleared of leaves, debris, and combustible rubbish?
If any adjacent property is vacant, have dry leaves, weeds and rubbish been cleared?
If you keep gasoline for use in a power mower or outdoor motor, is it in a strong metal safety type can with self closing caps on the openings?
If your garage is attached to the house, does a tight fitting door that is kept closed, separate it?

Do you keep matches out of the reach of children?
Do you leave a responsible person with your child when you go out, even for a little while?
When you employ babysitters, do you instruct them carefully on what to do in case of fire?
IMPORTANT: A child learns by example and by instruction. Concerning fire safety, do you always set a good example?

Do you know to call nine-one-one (911) in case of a fire?
Do you know how to report an emergency?
Have you worked out a plan of escape from every room in your house, especially from the bedrooms?
Have you practiced an escape plan by holding fire drills in your home?

Every NO to a question indicates a fire hazard, and should be corrected.