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Home Fire Safety Inspection

 

Home Fire Safety Checklist

 

Bedrooms

  • Is there a properly operating smoke alarm in each bedroom?
  • Is there a home escape plan posted in each bedroom?
  • Does every room have two exits?
  • Are windows easily opened?
  • Do second floor bedrooms have a safety ladder?
  • Do you have a designated meeting place? Does everyone know where it is?
  • Is there a carbon monoxide alarm installed on the sleeping level of the home?
  • Is there a three foot clearance between combustibles and heat sources and vents?

Kitchen

  • Is there always an adult in the kitchen when cooking is taking place?
  • Is there a three foot safety zone around the stove if there are small children in the kitchen?
  • Is the stove and adjacent area free of towels, pot holders and other combustibles?
  • Do you cook on the rear burners and ensure that pan handles are not hanging over the front of the stove?
  • Are the cords on all appliances tied up so they do not hang over the edge of the counter?
  • Is there a fire extinguisher available in the kitchen?
 

 

Living Room/Family Room/Den

  • Are all combustibles at least three feet from the fireplace, woodstove or heating devices?
  • Do you have a screen in front of your fireplace?
  • Is there a fireproof rug in front of the fireplace or woodstove?
  • Are all candles placed in a proper sized holder and setting on a non-combustible surface?
  • Are all extension cords placed over rugs and not plugged into a second cord?
  • Are exit paths, stairs and doors clear of obstructions?
  • Is there a carbon monoxide alarm installed in the living area of the home?

Bathroom

  • Are all outlets connected to a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) breaker?
  • Are all electrical appliances unplugged after each use?
  • Are all candles placed in a proper sized holder and setting on a non-combustible surface?
  • Are all medicines and cleaning supplies secured in a cabinet with a locking device?
  • Is the bathroom vent fan cover removed to allow for cleaning the fan and cover every six months?(ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE POWER!)
  • Are all light bulbs the proper wattage for all lighting fixtures?
 

 

Garage/Utility Room

  • Are all flammable liquids stored in proper containers and stored outside of the garage in a detached shed or separate area?
  • Is all gasoline powered equipment stored outside of the garage in a detached shed or separate area?
  • If the garage is attached to the home, is there a solid door between the two areas?
  • Is your garage equipped with a properly operating fire extinguisher?
  • Do you never use gasoline as a cleaning solvent?
  • Do you have a smoke alarm in the garage and/or utility room?

Electrical

  • Is the home equipped with the proper Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) breakers?
  • Are all extension cords not plugged into a second extension cord and not run through doorways?
  • Are all appliances plugged directly to wall outlets?
  • Are all breakers properly labeled in the electrical box?
  • Is there a three foot clearance in front of the breaker/fuse box?
  • Are all electrical outlets and switches covered by proper cover plates?
  • Are outside lighting appliances clear of any combustibles?
 

 

Outside

  • Is your house number visible to emergency workers from the street?
  • Are the roof and gutters clear from excessive leaves and pine tags?
  • Is there proper clearance around electrical and gas meters?
  • Is your driveway clear enough to allow fire trucks and ambulances to reach your home?
  • Is the gas or charcoal grill utilized away from any combustibles?
  • Are proper ash trays located outside for smokers?
  • Is there no excessive brush or combustibles piled up around your home?

General Safety Items

  • Are all smoke alarms tested and cleaned each month?
  • Is your house number visible for Fire, EMS and Police?
  • Is the dryer lint trap cleaned out after each use?
  • Is there a three foot clearance around heating devices and water heaters?
  • Are all areas of the home free of excessive clutter, including: clothing, papers, magazines and other combustibles?
  • Are the furnace and the fireplace inspected and cleaned before each heating system?
  • Are furnace filters changed on a regular schedule?