How Safe Is Your Home?
Each year, over 4,000 Americans perish
and more than 20,000 others suffer serious injuries because of
residential fires.
Please take a few moments to complete the
self-inspection checklist listed on this page. While some items
might not apply to your household, any items you answer
"NO" could represent a potential hazard in your home
that should be corrected. If you answer "YES" to all of
the items, we congratulate you on your personal fire prevention
efforts! Thank you for your time and for your interest in fire
safety.
|
Home Self-Inspection Checklist
| YES/NO
|
All of my family
members know to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. |
| YES/NO
|
Every sleeping area
and each level of my home is equipped with a working
smoke detector. |
| YES/NO
|
My house numbers
can be seen from the street by emergency responders. |
| YES/NO
|
Household
chemicals, matches, and cigarette lighters are stored
out of reach of children. |
| YES/NO
|
Gasoline is kept in
an approved safety container, preferably stored in a
locked garage or storage shed. |
| YES/NO
|
Electrical cords
are not damaged and are properly used. |
| YES/NO
|
I have a fire
extinguisher in my kitchen and know how to use it. |
| YES/NO
|
No combustible
materials are stored near cooking areas or heating
appliances. |
| YES/NO
|
My fireplace is
equipped with a proper screen and fireplace ashes are
properly disposed of. |
| YES/NO
|
The lint collector
on my clothes dryer is inspected and cleaned before each
use. |
| YES/NO
|
I generally
practice good housekeeping habits in keeping work areas,
the garage, heater closets, etc. free of potential fire
hazards. |
| YES/NO
|
My kitchen
vent-a-hood is clean and properly maintained. |
| YES/NO
|
I test my smoke
detectors once a month.
|
| YES/NO
|
I change the
batteries in my smoke detectors every year, or sooner if
necessary.
|
| YES/NO
|
Paints, thinners,
and other flammable liquids are stored in their original
containers, well away from heat, sparks, or flame.
|
| YES/NO
|
I never leave
cooking food unattended.
|
| YES/NO
|
I never smoke when
drowsy or when in bed.
|
| YES/NO
|
Each room in my
home has two clear exits.
|
YES/NO
|
My family developed
and practices an Emergency Escape Plan. |
|
Did You Know.........
Survival Tips
1. Make sure your family has an escape plan. Contact the
Fire Prevention office or your neighborhood fire station for more
information on developing a plan.
2. Sleep with the bedroom door closed. Closed doors provide
protection against heat and smoke.
3. Teach everyone in your household to recognize the sound
of your smoke alarm.
4. Test doors before opening them. You can easily be
overcome by heat, smoke or flames when you open a door to an area where
a fire has spread.
5. Use windows as alternate exits.
6. Crawl low under smoke. During a fire, super heated air
and toxic gases fill the room from the top down. This leaves a "safety
zone" of breathable air about 12 to 24 inches above the
floor.
7. Call 9-1-1. Unless you are trapped inside, it's too
dangerous to call from a burning home. Once you have escaped and
reported to your meeting place, call 9-1-1 on a neighbor's
telephone.
8. If your clothes catch on fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll.
Learn Not To Burn! Fire Smart Equals
Fire Safe!!!
Fire destroys more property and claims
more lives annually than any natural disaster. It is also the most
preventable disaster.
Please help us reduce the senseless loss
of property and lives in our community by making a conscious
effort to maintain a home free of fire hazards. Share this
information with relatives and friends. Remember, fire prevention
begins with education.
Should you have any questions regarding
fire safety, or want more information on any of these topics,
Please give us a call at (360)
497-7745 or E-Mail
mail@randlefire.org
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