How safe is your home from fire? To determine the safety of your home from fire hazards, click the button below, study these questions with your family. Every “yes” answer indicates a positive fire safety situation. However, every “no” answer points to a fire hazard that needs to be corrected. 

HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST

Heating

□ Baseboard heaters do not touch any furniture, curtains, or anything stored on the floor.

□ Heating systems and chimneys are inspected, cleaned, and repaired before the heating season.

□ Portable heaters are kept 36” from anything that could catch fire. The cords are intact.

They are plugged directly into an outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip.

□ Portable heaters are turned off when you leave the room or before going to bed.

□ Fireplaces are inspected, clean and have a sturdy metal screen. Clean, seasoned wood is used.

Electrical

□ Extension cords and plug adapters are used as little as possible. Power strips with a UL listing and manufacturer instructions that are being followed are best.

□ Never overload extension cords or outlets.

□ Extension cords and electric wires are not tacked to walls, run under rugs, through walls, ceil-ings, or doorways.

Housekeeping

□ Nothing that burns is stored on or within 36” of a furnace, water heater, or heat source.

□ Paints, varnishes, and other flammables are properly stored far away from heat sources.

□ Fireplace and barbeque grill ashes are only disposed of in metal containers outside.

□ Candles are in sturdy holders far away from things that burn. Are only used when someone is present. Always extinguished when leaving or before going to bed.

Kitchen

□ When frying or cooking with oil, a pan lid or baking sheet is kept close by to be used in case of a fire. Water is never used on this type of fire and pans are never moved or carried until cool.

□ Cooking is never left unattended. Children are kept 3 feet from the range.

□ The burners or oven are never used to heat the home.

□ Towels are never used instead of pot holders or oven mitts.

□ Ovens and cooking surfaces are kept clean and free from excess grease.

□ Small appliances are unplugged when not in use.

Smoking

□ Never smoke in bed or when lying down, drowsy, or on medications that make you sleepy.

□ Matches and lighters are always kept in a secure place and out of reach of children.

□ Ashes and butts are cold or put under water before disposal.

Smoke Alarms

□ Smoke alarms are located on the ceiling or high on the wall outside the bedrooms, on each lev-el, and in every bedroom.

□ Smoke alarm batteries are changed once a year (twice preferred), or when a chirp is heard.

□ Smoke alarms are tested monthly and vacuumed regularly.

Escape Plans

□ You have an escape plan showing two ways out of every room in your home and a meeting place outside.

□ Fire drills are held regularly to practice the fire escape plan.

□ Overnight guests in the home are made aware of the escape plan.

□ Windows and doors to be used as escape routes can be opened easily.

□ Your house numbers are clearly visible from the street.

Fire Drill Checklist

□ The fire escape plan has been discussed with all family members.

□ Start the drill with everyone in their beds as if asleep.

□ Use the smoke alarm from your home to start the drill. No running!

□ Practice the main exit routes first. Everyone must go quickly to the meeting place. Do this walk-ing and crawling. Be sure to practice the alternate routes as well.

□ The meeting place is located safely away from the house and out of the areas the fire depart-ment might arrive.

□ Time from alarm to meeting place should be 2 minutes or less, maybe a little more for the al-ternate routes.

□ Have someone pretend to call 911 and be sure that they know the proper information to give. Make sure everyone knows “Once Out – Stay Out!” Do not go back in for anything.

□ Everyone should also practice what to do if they can’t get out. This could prevent panic.

Be sure to get a copy of our handout “A Backup Plan”.

Fire Extinguishers

A properly used fire extinguisher can stop a small fire and keep it from growing.

An ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher 1A10BC or 2A10BC is recommended.

Before using a fire extinguisher, you should:

□ Have alerted all others to evacuate and 911 has been called.

□ Know how to use it ….. what PASS stands for.

□ Know what size fire is safe to use it on and how far away you have to be.

□ Keep a way out at your back at all times. Do not let fire get behind you!

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is the product of an open

flame or engine combustion. In the right concentration it can make you sick or even kill

you! Prevention and early warning can save lives!

□ Your home should have a carbon monoxide detector on every level.

□ The types that work even during a power failure are recommended.

□ Maintenance and battery changes for these detectors are the same as that for smoke detectors

□ Follow manufacture’s guidelines for installation.

□ See our carbon monoxide handout for more detailed prevention information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Orem Fire Department – Fire Prevention 

Email: [email protected]