Totem Building Supplies

Home Fire Safety Checklist



As a home owner, it can be easy to install a couple smoke detectors and throw a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and say your prepared. The hard honest truth is homeowner's need to take a a more comprehensive approach to fire safety and preparedness. By checking a few areas around your house with this fire safety checklist, you can ensure your home is a little safer, and sleep a little easier.

(Image: iStock)

Garage

Oily rags are in air-tight containers and away from heat sources
Trash is not stored in the garage
No pull-down stair access to garage attic space is linked to the main house
Door leading from the garage to the house is solid, has a threshold to block fire from traveling to the house
Door leading to the house has weather stripping to prevent carbon monoxide fumes from passing through
Garage is clear of junk that can facilitate fire
Gasoline is stored away from ignition sources like heat, sparks, and flames and in containers with approved labels.

Basement

Ensure areas around heat-generating equipment such as a furnace, oil burner or wood stove, are clear of combustible materials, debris and rags
Water heater burner-access doors are closed to prevent flame roll-out
Breaker panel has not been recalled or recommended for replacement
Breaker wires are not loose
Wire insulators show no signs of erosion or decay
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) have been added for protection from electrical wiring faults, particularly in older homes. WARNING: If you’re not an electrician, call one. Don’t try to fix this yourself
Oily rags are in air-tight containers and away from heat sources
Trash is not stored in the basement.

Laundry Room

There is no lint build-up inside the dryer, exhaust duct, or behind the dryer
Foil or plastic accordion-type ducting material has been replaced with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.

First Floor

Working smoke detector
Cooking surfaces are clean
Towels, curtains, plastic utensils, and pot holders are stored away from hot surfaces
Cookies and other kid-friendly snacks are stored away from the stove
Kitchen has a working fire extinguisher
Light bulbs meet the recommended wattage of each fixture
Incandescent lights are not exposed, do not have a shade closer than 12 inches, and are at least 12 inches from combustibles
Any furniture meets recommendations for fire-resistant upholstery
Fireplace has a screen, surrounding area is clear of debris, and flue is clear of obstructions
Chimney is cleaned annually
Chimney has fire-stop of gypsum board or fire-code gypsum board at each floor penetration
Metal vent areas around chimney are blocked by sheet metal
No electric cords run under carpets or are pressed against a wall
Extension cords and outlets are not overloaded (powering too many devices).

Second Floor

All mattresses were made after 1973
Each bedroom and hallway has a working smoke detector especially if you sleep with your doors closed
Closet lights are not exposed
Light bulbs meet the recommended wattage of each fixture
Incandescent lights are not exposed, do not have a shade closer than 12 inches, and are at least 12 inches away from combustibles
No electric cords run under carpets or are pressed against a wall or bed
Extension cords and outlets are not overloaded
Portable heaters or other heat-producing appliances are three feet from beds and other flammable materials, such as curtains
All bedrooms have an escape ladder that all members of the family know how to use
Electric blankets are UL-approved, with cords in solid condition
The floor has a working fire extinguisher.

Attic

There are no gaps around the chimney

There is at least a three-inch gap between insulation and lighting fixtures.