Your Home Fire Safety Checklist

Courtesy the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Introduction

The United States has one of the highest fire death and injury rates in the world. Fire—in the form of flames and smoke—is the second leading cause of accidental death in the home.

More than 4,000 people die each year in home fires. Every year, there are more than 500,000 residential fires serious enough to be reported to fire departments. More than 90 percent of residential fire deaths and injuries result from fires in one and two family houses and apartments. Property losses exceed 4 billion dollars annually, and the long term emotional damage to victims and their loved ones is incalculable.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has targeted the principal consumer products associated with fires, namely home heating devices, upholstered furniture, bedding, cigarette lighters, matches, and wearing apparel. The Commission is participating in a special Congressionally authorized study of cigarette-ignited fires, which cause more deaths than any other kind of fire. The Commission continues to push for extensive use of smoke detectors. With the help of concerned consumers, the number or residential fires has declined about 30 percent since 1980.

The CPSC is fulfilling its role to make products inherently more fire safe. We recognize that much more can be done to cut down on the needlessly high and tragic fire toll by an alert and informed public. Many of the injuries associated with flammable products result from hazards that are overlooked. Fire experts agree that one key to fewer fires is a greater awareness of how accidents can be prevented. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple precautions, many fires and fire-related injuries can be prevented.

Use this list as a safety guide to spot possible fire safety problems which may be present in your home. It is a first step in reducing the risk of fire.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS "YES" TO EVERY QUESTION!

If you answer NO to any question, the potential hazard should be corrected to avoid the risk of injury or death.  How safe is your home from fire?

Sources of Fire

Supplemental Home Heating

The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number of residential fires.

Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental heaters, it is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential fires. These fires kill more than 600 people. Annually there are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of carbon monoxide poisonings.

Wood Stoves

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

1. The wood stove or fireplace has been installed according to existing building codes and manufacturer's instructions.
2. The chimney and stovepipe are checked frequently during the heating season for creosote buildup and are cleaned when necessary.
3. The stove sits on a non-combustible or on a code-specified or listed floor protector.
4. Combustibles such as curtains, chairs, firewood, etc., are at least three feet away from the stove.
5. Only proper fuel is used in the stove.
6. A metal container with a tight-fitting lid is used for ash removal.

Recommendations for wood stove safety:

Kerosene Heaters

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

1. Only 1-K kerosene is used and it is bought from a dealer who can certify that the product is 1-K kerosene.
2. The heater is placed out of the path of traffic areas such as doorways and hallways.
3. Kerosene is stored outdoors, and out of the reach of children in a tightly sealed, preferably blue plastic or metal container, labeled “kerosene.”
4. No attempt is to be made to move the heater if flare-up (flames outside the heater cabinet) occurs. The fire department is called immediately.

Recommendations:

Gas-Fired Space Heaters

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

Recommendations for gas space heaters:

Portable Electric Heaters

The Commission estimates that half the deaths and one-third of the injuries resulting from electric heater fires occurred at night when family members were asleep and the heater unattended. The Commission is also concerned about the use of power or extension cords which can be too small to supply the amount of current required by the typical portable electric heater.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

Recommendations:

Cooking Equipment

Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more than 100,000 fires annually, and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000 injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about 30,000 fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1. The storage area above the stove is free of flammable and combustible items.
  2. Short or tight fitting sleeves, and tight fitting shirts, robes, gowns, etc., are worn while cooking.
  3. Items that could attract children (e.g. cookies and candy) are not kept above the range and are kept out of the immediate area.
  4. The stove is not left unattended when cooking especially when the burner is turned to a high setting.

Recommendations:

Cigarette Lighters and Matches

Each year more than 200 deaths are associated with fires started by cigarette lighters. About two thirds of these result from children playing with lighters. Most of the victims are under five years old.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1.  Cigarette lighters and matches are kept out of the reach of children.
  2.  Cigarette lighters are never used to entertain a child.

KEEP CIGARETTE LIGHTERS AWAY FROM YOUNG CHILDREN

Recommendations:

Materials That Burn

Your home is filled with materials and products that will burn if ignited. Upholstered furniture, clothing, drapery fabrics, and liquids such as gasoline and volatile solvents are involved in many injury-causing fires each year. Most of these fires could be prevented.

Upholstered Furniture

In 1989, there were 18,600 residential fires associated with upholstered furniture; about 900 people lost their lives. About one half of these fires were caused by smoking materials. Property losses amounted to over $ 100 million from fires started by cigarette ignition of upholstered furniture.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1. Upholstered furniture fabrics made from vinyl, wool or thermoplastic fibers are generally selected for safety reasons.
  2.  I check thoroughly after parties for ashes or smouldering cigarettes that may have fallen behind and between cushions and under furniture.


Recommendations:

Mattresses and Bedding

Smoldering fires in mattresses and bedding materials caused by cigarettes are a major cause of deaths in residential fires. In 1989 over 35,000 mattress/bedding fires caused about 700 deaths.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1.  “No smoking in bed” is a rule that is practiced in my home.
  2.  Heaters, ash trays, smoking materials and other fire sources are located away from bedding.

Recommendations:

Wearing Apparel

Most fibers used in clothing can burn, some more quickly than others. A significant number of clothing fires occur in the over 65 age group principally from nightwear (robes, pajamas, nightgowns). In 1989 about 200 clothing fire deaths were reported; about three fourths occurred in the 65 and older age group. The severity of apparel burns is high. Hospital stays average over one month.

Small open flames, including matches, cigarette lighters, and candles are the major sources of clothing ignition. These are followed by ranges, open fires and space heaters. The most commonly worn garments that are associated with clothing ignition injuries are pajamas, nightgowns, robes, shirts/blouses, pants/slacks and dresses.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1.  When purchasing wearing apparel I consider fiber content and fabric construction for safety purposes.
  2.  I purchase garments for my children that are intended for sleepwear since they are made to be flame resistant.

Recommendations:

Flammable Liquids

One of the major causes of household fires is flammable liquids. These include gasoline, acetone benzene, lacquer thinner, alcohol, turpentine, contact cements, paint thinner, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid. The most dangerous of all is gasoline.

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1.  Flammable liquids are stored in properly labeled, tightly closed non-glass containers.
  2. These products are stored away from heaters, furnaces, water heaters, ranges and other gas appliances.
  3.  Flammable liquids are stored out of reach of children.


Recommendations:

Take extra precautions in storing and using flammable liquids, such as gasoline, paint thinners, etc. They produce invisible explosive vapors that can ignite by a small spark at considerable distances from the flammable substance. Store outside the house.

Early Warning and Escape

Even when you have complied with every item in this Home Fire Safety Checklist, you still need to have a plan for early warning and escape in case a fire does occur.

Many fire deaths and fire injuries are actually caused by smoke and gases. Victims inhale smoke and poisonous gases that rise ahead of the flames. Survival depends on being warned as early as possible and having an escape plan.

Smoke Detectors

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1.  At least one smoke detector is located on every floor of my home.
  2.  Smoke detectors are placed near bedrooms, either on the ceiling or 6-12 inches below the ceiling on the wall.
  3.  Smoke detectors are tested according to manufacturer's instructions on a regular basis (at least once a month) and are kept in working condition at all times.
  4.  Batteries are replaced according to manufacturer's instructions, at least annually.
  5. Batteries are never disconnected.
  6.  The detector has a distinct warning signal that can be heard whether asleep or awake.
  7.  Test your detector monthly.

Recommendations:

Does your family have an escape plan?

Planning ahead, rehearsing, thinking, and acting clearly are keys to surviving a fire. How prepared are you?

You should be able to respond YES to the following statements.

  1. The family has an escape plan and an alternate escape plan.
  2. Escape routes and plans are rehearsed periodically.
  3. The escape plan includes choosing a place safely outside the house where the family can meet to be sure everyone got out safely.
  4. At least two exits from each part of the house are established.
  5. The fire department number is posted on every telephone.

Recommendations:

This article provided courtesy of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Visit the U.S. CPSC online at http://www.cpsc.gov.