3. Home Inspection

One of the best ways to prevent fire or burns in the home is to do a home inspection looking for the fire hazards.  Inspect your home one room at a time:

Kitchen:

• All electrical appliances and tools should have a testing agency label.

• Have the appliances repaired if they aren't working properly.
• If an appliance gets wet, have it serviced.
• Check the cords on all appliances. If worn or frayed, have them repaired.
• Don't overload the outlets.
• Make sure appliance cords are kept on the counter to prevent them from being pulled down by young children.
• Don't store things over a stove. Leaning over the stove is dangerous.
• Turn pot handles so that children cannot pull them down.
• Wear tight sleeves when cooking. loose-fitting garments can catch fire.
• Make sure curtains and towel racks are not too close to the stove.
• Check to see if the stove and oven are clean of grease and oil.
• Be sure microwave ovens have room to breath and that all the vents are cleared of obstruction.
• Be sure a fire extinguisher is placed in the kitchen.

Living room or family room:

• Be sure portable space heaters are at least three (3) feet away from anything that can catch fire including walls and curtains.

• Use a metal or glass fireplace screen.
• Have the chimney checked and cleaned regularly.
• Put lighters and matches where small children won't find them.
• Ashtrays should be large, deep and emptied frequently.
• Ashtrays should be emptied when signs of heat and/or burning has stopped.
• Before going to bed, check the carpets and cushions where ashtrays have been used.
• Allow plenty of air space around a TV and stereo to prevent overheating.
• Extension cords should not run under rugs and carpets or be looped over nails or other sharp objects that could cause them to become frayed.
• Check for overloaded outlets or worn or frayed extension cords.
• Electrical sockets should be covered with a child-proof fitting.
• Lamp and light fixtures should be used with bulbs with wattage at or below that which is prescribed by the manufacturer.

Bathroom:

• Check for overloaded extension cords and outlets.

• Don't place or use any appliances near water.

• Install safety latches on drawers, cupboards and medicine cabinets if the home has small children.

• Dump old or outdated medicine into the toilet.

Bedroom:

• Smoke detectors should be tested regularly.

• Keep a working flashlight net to each bed.
• Again, check for overloaded outlets, extension cords and heaters that are too close to combustible items.

Heat Sources: Heaters and Fireplaces

• Move anything that can burn at least a yard away.

• Make sure portable heaters are UL listed models.
• Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors.
• Plug a portable electric heater into a receptacle not an extension cord.
• Always use screens or glass doors on working fireplaces.
• Frequent chimney inspections.

Basement, Garages and Storage:

• Store gasoline and other flammables in tight metal containers.

• Don't use flammable liquids near heat. a pilot light or while smoking.
• Have heating equipment checked yearly.
• Clean up workbench.
• If a fuse blows, find the problem.
• Don't store things near a furnace or heater.
• Get rid of stored newspaper or other rubbish.
• Oily, greasy rags should be kept in labeled and sealed non-glass containers.
• Keep all chemicals, paints, etc. in their original containers.
• Set your water heater at 123^o F as higher temperatures can quickly lead to a scald burn.

Outdoors:

• Don't ever use gasoline on or near a grill.
• Once the fire has been started, never use lighter fluid or gasoline.
• Use dry kindling to revive the fire.
• Move the lawnmower away from gasoline fumes before starting.

• Allow the engine to cool before refueling.

Installing & testing Smoke Alarms

• Only purchase smoke alarms that are listed by UL and carry the UL mark on packaging.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement. Make sure there is an alarm near every sleeping area.
• Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings.
• Choose an installation location that is well away from the path of steam room bathrooms and cooking vapors from the kitchen, which can result in false alarms.
• Don't install smoke alarms near windows, where drafts might interfere with their operation.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Batteries should be changed yearly.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced at least once every 10 years.