Washington and Lee Univ

Home Fire Safety Inspection Checklist

Home Fire Safety

• Smoking Habits: 

• Is “NO SMOKING IN BED” a rule of the apartment? 

• Are you aware that ash trays should NEVER be emptied into waste baskets? 

• Are there plenty of large, safe ash trays throughout the house? 

• Do you check for smoldering cigarette butts in the furniture?  

• Electrical Hazards: 

• Are appliances checked periodically for good operating conditions? 

• Are you careful not to run extension cords under rugs or over hooks and nails? 

• When using extension cords for appliances, does the gauge of both cords match? 

• Are electrical outlets overloaded?

• Housekeeping:

• Do you keep rubbish cleaned out of attics, garages and yards?

• Is paint kept in tightly closed metal containers? 

• Are flammable liquids stored in safety cans and kept away from heat and children?

• Have you make it a rule to NEVER use flammable liquids for cleaning clothes or start fires? 

• Are oily rags kept in a tightly sealed container? 

• Is your clothes dryer vent clean and properly installed? 

• Heating and Cooking:

• If you have a fireplace, is a screen always placed in front of it?

• Is the filter for your forced air heater changed yearly and the venting cleaned? Have you checked on this with your landlord?

• Are furnaces and wood burning stoves in good repair and located away from combustible walls and ceilings? 

• Do you have the fireplace chimney cleaned and checked periodically? Have you checked with your landlord?

• Do you make sure combustibles are not stored near the stove, heater or fireplace? 

• Smoke Alarms: 

• Is a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area or in every bedroom on each floor?

• Do you test your smoke alarm(s) every month? 

• Do you replace the battery of your battery operated smoke alarm every year? 

• Fire Escape Plan:

• Do you have a fire escape plan prepared? 

• Is your escape plan posted and regularly practiced? 

• Does each bedroom have TWO exits? 

• Do you have a meeting place so you will know everyone is outside and safe? 

• Are emergency response numbers posted on all telephones? 

• Is your address on or near your telephone? 

• Does everyone in the apartment know how to dial 9-1-1 for fire, police or medical emergencies? 

• Do you show your guests your home escape routes and review 9-1-1- with them?

• Do all occupants know the first rule in fire emergencies: GET EVERYONE OUT FAST AND DON’T GO BACK INSIDE? 

• Fire Extinguishers: 

• Do you have a UL or FM approved fire extinguisher in your apartment? 

• Do you take it out two times a year and shake it to keep the powder from packing? 

• Outside: 

• Have all dried grass cuttings, tree trimmings and weeds been removed from your property? 

• Can you see your house number from the street?