Eileen Colkin Cuneo

Fire Safety and Prevention Checklist

Fire safety and prevention

• DIY Fire Safety Checklist

• Basement

• Areas around furnace, oil burner, wood stove, and other heat-generating equipment are clear of debris, combustible materials, and rags

• Burner-access doors on the water heater are closed to prevent flame roll-out

• Breaker panel has not been recalled nor recommended for replacement

• Breaker wires are not loose

• No signs of erosion or decay on wire insulators

• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) have been added for protection from electrical wiring faults, especially 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 or its exhaust duct, and the area behind the dryer is lint-free

• Trash is not stored in the basement

• Foil or plastic accordion-type ducting material has been replaced with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct

• Garage

• Oily rags are in air-tight containers and away from heat sources

• Trash is not stored in the garage 

• There is no pull-down stair access to garage attic space that 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, and weather stripping to prevent carbon monoxide fumes from passing through

• Garage is clear of accumulated junk that can facilitate fire

• Gasoline is stored away from ignition sources like heat, sparks, and flames and in containers with approved labels.

• First Floor

• Has a working smoke detector

• Cooking surfaces are clean of grease and food build-up

• Gas appliance vents are blocked by sheet metal

• Towels, curtains, plastic utensils, and pot holders are stored away from hot surfaces

• Cookies and other kid-friendly snacks are not stored above the stove

• Kitchen has a working fire extinguisher

• Closet lights are have covers (not just a bare bulb)

• 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

• Furniture meets updated 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

• Electric cords don\'t run under carpets and are not pressed against a wall

• Extension cords and outlets are not overloaded (powering too many devices)

• Upstairs

• Mattresses were made after 1973

• Each bedroom and hallway has a working smoke detector

• Closet lights are not exposed

• Light bulbs meet the recommended wattage of each fixture

• Incandescent lights are not exposed, do not have a shade, and are at least 12 inches away from combustibles

• Electric cords don\'t run under carpets and are not 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

• Each bedroom has 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 that allow you to see the floor below

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