Home Fire Safety Checklist, courtesy of the Twin Cities Metro Fire Directory, at www.tcmfd.com.

Residential fires kill an average of 5,000 people, injure an additional 21,000 persons and cost $3.4 billion dollars each year! Here are some safety tips for you:

SMOKE DETECTORS

Smoke is responsible for three out of four fire deaths.

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas.  Place on the ceiling (or on the wall at least 12 inches below the ceiling), close to the door where smoke is most likely to enter the room.  Hallway/stairway detectors should be placed at the top of the stairway.
• Test every detector at least once a month. [See your instruction book for the location of the test button.]  
• Keep smoke detectors dust free. Make it a habit to replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks back and forth between Standard and Daylight Saving time.  "Change your clock, change your battery".
• Replace batteries immediately should your detector emit a "chirp" sound, which is the low battery warning indicator.
• If you have a smoke detector directly wired into your electrical system, be sure that the signal light is blinking periodically. This tells you that the alarm is powered.  Bear in mind that these detectors generally do not function during a power failure.
• Inexpensive smoke detectors equipped with strobe lights are available for the hearing impaired.
• If you must remove a battery for any reason (cooking smoke, etc), leave the detector open so you do not forget you removed the battery.  Replace as soon as possible.
• Install a CO detector.  While fire usually sneaks up at night when residents are asleep, carbon monoxide can strike without warning at any time with no visible or audible warning of any kind.  Carbon monoxide has a density basically the same as ambient air, so the only placement consideration is to have them nearest sleeping areas.  Consider one for each level of your home, but not too close to a fireplace or gas appliance.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

They remain your best bet if you're on the spot when a fire begins.

• If practical, call 911 (or have someone else call for you) before you attempt to attack a fire with an extinguisher.  This will prevent a needless fire department response delay.
• Fire extinguishers should be mounted at the very least in the kitchen, garage, and workshop.  Installing extinguishers in sleeping areas is also advisable.
• Make sure extinguishers are instantly accessible, do not stack items in front of them, do not place them in cabinets, do not install them over or behind likely fire sources, etc.
• Always place extinguishers next to an exit, so that you are not trapped in a dead end trying to get an extinguisher if the fire gets too large.  It is best to install at least two extinguishers (at two different exits), so at least one will always be accessible.
• Purchase an ABC (powder) type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires.  Check the pressure gauge when you check your smoke detector batteries.
• Have your extinguishers inspected every other year.  Check with your local fire department for where to have them inspected.
• Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency.  Read the instructions or consult with your local fire department.
• Remember, use an extinguisher on small fires only. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 from another location.

THINKING AHEAD: Your Exit Plan

As with other things, the best motto is, "Be Prepared."

• Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.
• Sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of fire, it helps to hold back heat and smoke.
• NEVER take the key out of a deadbolt lock that key-locks from the inside.  At the very least, hang it directly adjacent to the door.  Better yet, replace the lock with one that has a manual knob on the inside.
• Easy-to-use portable window escape ladders are available through many catalogues and outlet stores. For instance, First Alert sells one for around $90.
• Ensure any visiting houseguests are aware of your evacuation and safety plans, especially if they will be staying at your home overnight or for an extended period.  "Trick" doors or latches (malfunctioning but operable in a certain way) should be replaced, or at the least visitors should know how to operate them to avoid being trapped.
• Clear all unnecessary items from the hallways and living areas so as to not obstruct an exit path, especially considering you may not be able to see through smoke while trying to escape.  Also remove unnecessary clutter and combustibles from the attic, basement, garage, and closets.
• Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors and well clear of the structure where family members are to gather for a head count.  
• In the event of fire, do not stand up!  The heat difference from the height of your bed to fully standing up can be several hundred degrees, and fatal.  Remain low and crawl on the floor to avoid smoke and heat during your escape.
• If a door feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window.
• If you do not have a means to fully escape through an open window, hang a light-colored sheet or blanket from the window to get the attention of arriving firefighters.  Don't try to open a stuck window too long, just break it out - no window is worth saving more than your life.
• Stay together away from the fire. Call 911 from another location. Make certain that no one goes back inside the burning building for any reason.

FIREPLACE

Remember, you're deliberately bringing fire into your home; respect it.

• Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying.
• Don't store newspapers, kindling, or matches near the fireplace or have an exposed rug or wooden floor right in front of the fireplace.
• Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned to remove combustible creosote build-up if necessary.
• The chimney inspection can also reveal deadly leaks which could be introducing deadly CO into the living areas away from the fireplace.
• Install a chimney spark arrester to prevent roof fires.
• When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.
• When discarding ashes and cleaning the fireplace, put all ash and residue in a metal container or approved safe burn pile/barrel outdoors and away from any structures.

FURNACE/SPACE HEATERS

Used improperly, a space heater can be the most dangerous appliance in your house.

• Install and maintain heating equipment correctly. Have your furnace inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season.
• Don't store newspapers, rags, or other combustible materials near a furnace, hot water heater, clothes dryer, space heater, etc.
• Don't leave space heaters operating when you're not in the room.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that might burn, including the wall.
• Don't use extension cords with electrical space heaters. The high amount of current they require produces heat which could melt the cord, cause a short circuit and start a fire.
• When lighting a gas space heater, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.  Never use a gas space heater in a confined space or unventilated room.
• Never use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater.  Aside from the fire risk, they can create a deadly amount of carbon monoxide.

CLOTHES DRYER

Under some circumstances, dangerous heat can build up in a dryer.

• Never leave home with the clothes dryer running.
• Dryers must be vented to the outside, not into a wall or attic.
• Clean the lint screen frequently to keep the airway clear.  Clean the exhaust piping once a year.
• Do not allow stray lint to build up around the washer and dryer.  Check behind the unit and vacuum it as necessary.
• Never put in synthetic fabrics, plastic, rubber, or foam, because they retain heat.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Electricity, as silently as it serves, can also silently start a fire.

• It is better not to use extension cords. If you feel you must use one, make sure that it is not frayed or worn. Do not run it under a rug or twist it around a nail or hook.  These pressure points and kinks damage the wire and create resistance, which produces heat and could cause the wire to fail, short circuit and start a fire.
• Never overload a socket. In particular, the use of "octopus" outlets, outlet extensions that accommodate several plugs, is strongly discouraged.
• Do not use light bulb wattage which is too high for the fixture. Look for the label inside each fixture which tells the maximum wattage.  If in doubt, do not exceed 40 watts.
• Check periodically for loose wall receptacles, loose wires, or loose lighting fixtures.  Discontinue use and have them repaired by a professional immediately.
• Allow air space around the TV and other entertainment devices to prevent overheating. The same applies to plug-in radios, personal computers, stereo sets, and to powerful lamps.  Avoid laying decorative cloths or doilies over them that could trap heat.
• If a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows frequently, immediately cut down on the number of appliances on that circuit.  If it continues to trip, do not keep resetting it.  Have a professional inspect the system to determine the origin of the problem.
• Be sure all electrical equipment bears the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.
• In many older homes, the capacity of the wiring system has not kept pace with today's modern appliances. Overloaded electrical systems invite fire. Watch for these overload signals: lights dimming noticeably when an appliance goes on, a shrinking TV picture, slow heating appliances, or fuses/breakers blowing frequently. Call a qualified electrician to get expert help.
• Signs of a wiring fire in the walls or attic are not always obvious.  Be aware of and watch for: odor of burnt rubber or plastic, erratic electrical behavior in the home (circuits not working even though the breaker is still closed, flickering, etc), popping sounds from behind a wall, walls warm or hot to the touch.  Many fire departments have infrared equipment that can detect fires behind a wall without having to physically open the wall.  Waste no time, do not hesitate to have your fire department investigate any suspicious fire signs.

KITCHEN

Careless cooking is the number one cause of residential fires. Never leave cooking unattended.

• It's wise to have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it as far from the stove as possible, on an exit side of the kitchen.
• Never pour water on a grease fire.  Depending on the location of the fire, turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door.
• Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back, and always watch young children in the kitchen.  Never pick up or move a hot pan or pot (or heated microwave dish, etc) with young children in the room who might get underfoot while your back is turned.
• Don't store combustible items on or near the stove top.
• Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off and disconnect them when not in use.
• Don't overload kitchen electrical outlets and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.
• Wear tight-fitting clothing when you cook, and keep cloth items away from the stove. An electrical coil on the stove reaches a temperature of 800 degrees. A gas flame goes over 1,000 degrees. Your dish towel, pot holder or bathrobe sleeve can catch fire at just 400 degrees.
• Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly, and wipe up spilled grease as soon as the surface of the stove is cool.
• Dust buildup in the coils behind or underneath your refrigerator/freezer can result in heat buildup which can ignite the dust.  Inspect and vacuum regularly.  Also inspect and clean behind ovens.

CHILDREN

One-fourth of all fire-deaths of children are from fires started by children.

• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.  Train your children to bring such items directly and immediately to an adult in case they do find them.  It is better for children to respect and know the tools of fire than to be ignorant of them if these items should fall into their hands.
• Never leave children unattended with fire or space heaters.
• Children are naturally curious about fire, keep an eye on them, but understand that mild interest is normal. If a child repeatedly plays with fire or seems to have a unusual fascination with fire, seek professional help at once.  Your fire department can advise you of where to get help.

GASOLINE and FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

• Flammable liquids should be stored only in approved safety containers, and the containers should be kept outside the house and garage in a separate storage shed.
• Add gasoline to lawn equipment and snow throwers outside, away from enclosed areas and any source of sparks or heat.
• Start the equipment at least 5 feet from where you filled it with fuel, away from the fuel container.
• Don't fill a hot lawn mower, snow thrower, or any other engine; let it cool first.
• Never clean floors or do other general cleaning with gasoline or flammable liquids.

FIREWORKS

Use of fireworks is generally not recommended.  The amount of risk is usually not justified by the amount of entertainment they provide.  Take the family to a professional show instead.  However, if you decide to display at home, follow these hints.

• Never tamper with fireworks.  Follow instructions printed on the package or item
• Light on a flat, dry surface with no nearby overhanging trees or wires, at least 100 feet from any structures or vehicles.
• Streets are a tempting place to light fireworks.  Don't!  You place yourself in danger of being hit by or causing damage to passing cars.
• Do not light any fireworks if there is reasonable wildland fire danger in your area.
• Keep all spectators well back, and make certain they are all paying attention to their surroundings and are not caught off-guard.
• Keep a first-aid kit handy, or at least some resources for treating burns.
• Have copious amounts of water, fire extinguishers or a hose easily accessible.  In event of fire, don't hesitate to call the fire department while you are trying to extinguish it.  Canceling the fire trucks is better than having them arrive late when needed.
• Sparklers get very very hot.  Place all used sparklers in a bucket of water.
• Never handle active fireworks.  Light on the ground and get away!  Do not try to re-light a failed fuse, and do not knock over a failed firework that could go off later.
• Do not pick up fireworks debris immediately.  Wait until the next morning, or about 12 hours.  Dispose of the debris as you would dispose of fireplace ashes, see the fireplace section for details.

SMOKING

If you actually believe that you're immune from cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and other ills, at least worry about burning to death.

• Never smoke in bed.
• Don't smoke when you are drinking or are tired.
• Use large, deep ashtrays, and empty them frequently.
• Never dump an ashtray into the trash without wetting the butts and ashes first.  Preferably, empty ashtrays as you would dispose of fireplace ashes, see the fireplace section for details.

This list is an attempt to be as complete as possible, but should not be construed as a completely all-inclusive checklist.  Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings and furnishings in your home, you alone are responsible for your own and anyone else's safety in your home.  Contact your local fire department for more specialized information for your area, or to arrange a personal walk-through home inspection by trained fire safety personnel.

Public Safety personnel: If you have any additions or corrections to this checklist, please contact us at submit@tcmfd.com.  Feel free to copy this list for use in your own literature and on your department web sites.