Essential Home Fire Safety Checklist for Every Household

Did you know?

Fire departments in the United States respond to a house fire every 85 seconds?

The primary causes are cooking fires, heating equipment, and electrical malfunctions.

I. Appliance Hazards

1. Do you have a fire extinguisher easily reachable from the cooking area? ___Y ___N

2. Do you leave the stove on when not home? ___Y ___N

3. Is there a buildup of grease or grime inside the stove or the stove top? ___Y ___N

4. Do you leave the cooking area when using hot grease? ___Y ___N

5. Do you always turn the dryer off before leaving your home? ___Y ___N

6. Do you always clean the lint tray in your dryer before each use? ___Y ___N

II. Electrical Hazards

1. Do you allow only licensed electricians to install or extend your wiring? ___Y ___N

2. Are there enough electrical outlets in every room to avoid the need for multiple attachment plugs and extension cords? ___Y ___N

3. Do any of your electrical outlets have a black smudge in or around the socket? ___Y ___N

4. Are there any flickering lights in your home? ___Y ___N

5. If you use space heaters or window AC units are they plugged directly into an outlet and not on an extension cord? ___Y ___N

6. If you use a space heater is it in an open area and does it shut off automatically if tipped over? ___Y ___N

III. Generator Hazards

Check Not Applicable (NA) if you don’t have a generator.

1. Is your whole house generator placed in a area that is away from windows? ___Y ___N ___NA 

2. Is your whole house generator connected to the electrical panel properly? ___ Y ___ N ___NA

3. Do you have your generator on an annual preventative maintenance contract through a licensed electrical provider? ___Y ___N___NA

4. Is your portable generator stored in safe, secure area away from combustible products? ___ Y ___ N ___NA 

5. .Do you run the generator routinely at least every 6 months? ___Y ___N___NA

IV. Smoke Alarm Hazards

1. Are there smoke alarms on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas? ___Y ___N

2. Do all smoke alarms have working batteries? ___Y ___N

3. Do you test your smoke alarms once per month? ___Y ___N

V. Having a Family Plan

1. Does your family have a drawn escape plan of your house, showing all possible exits? ___Y ___N

2. Does everyone in the family know at least 2 escape routes from every room on every level of your home? ___Y ___N

3. Does your family practice your escape plan at least twice per year? ___Y ___N

4. Do you have a meeting place outside of your home for all the family members t gather in case of fire? ___Y ___N

   
   

How did you do?

1. What are your total number of YES responses________?

2. What are your total number of NO responses _________?

Remember, every no response increases the fire hazard risk for you and your family!

What to Do in Case of a Fire?

1. Don’t Panic – escape will depend on clear thinking .

2. Get out of the house as quickly as possible following the planned escape routes if possible – DO NOT stop to collect valuables or dress.

3. Open doors carefully only after feeling them to see if they are hot. If they are hot DO NOT open and DO use an alternative escape route.

4. Keep close to the floor – smoke and hot gases rise. Breathe through a cloth (wet if possible) and take short shallow breaths.

5. Keep doors and windows closed unless using them for escape.

6. Meet at the pre-established meeting place after leaving the house.

7. Call your fire department AFTER you get out of the house!

8. NEVER re-enter a burning building. Let the professionals on sight handle everything.

This Home Fire Safety Checklist is brought to you by Kennedy Electric, a locally owned and operating electrical services company since 1992. If you would like a home hazard consultation or have other electrical needs, please feel free to give us a call at 434-531-2108. We are here to help ensure your family and home are safe!

This Home Fire Safety Checklist is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional inspection, advice, or service. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Kennedy Electric assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or for any damages resulting from the use of this checklist. Always consult a licensed electrician or qualified professional regarding any concerns about your home’s electrical or fire safety systems.

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