Home Safety Survey

Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed in the following areas.

• Hallways
• Bedrooms
• Living areas
• Basement

According to the US Fire Administration, about 2500 people die each year in fires. The vast majority of these deaths occur where there are no smoke alarms. Most smoke alarms last for about 10 years and should be replaced at that time. If your alarm does not have a sealed battery unit, then batteries should be replaced every six months and the alarms should be tested at least once a month.

Having an escape plan is so important. Please take the time to create one for your home. Remember, your plan should be as simple as possible and everyone needs to know it and practice it on a regular basis. Your plan needs to show two ways out of every room in your home and a family meeting place outside and away from the home. You need to practice your plan with all members of your home to make sure it works as is planned.

If anyone in your home cannot escape on their own in an emergency, they are at a much higher risk of injury or death. A new baby or an elderly relative visiting or moving in may change things for you. Adults with limited mobility should not be above the first floor. Review your plans often to make sure your circumstances have not changed.

Predetermined meeting spots can help reduce the confusion when there is an emergency. Make sure your identified meeting spot is known by everyone in your home. A large tree, the mailbox, or a neighbors house all make good meeting places. When first responders arrive to help, let them know if everyone is accounted for or if they need to find someone.

We want you to cook safely in your home.

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

One of the leading causes of fire deaths in the home is smoking. These objects can smolder for hours unnoticed, often proving deadly. Never allow smoking on any upholstered furniture, carpeted area, or bed. We strongly suggest not allowing any smoking inside of your home. Make sure cigarette butts are completely extinguished before throwing them away. 

If you ever use candles, incense, or other open flame or smoldering objects, please be extremely careful. These items at times seem as though they present no risk for a fire, but unfortunately that is simply not true. Make sure there are no other flammable objects within the area or that drapes and clothing cannot come in contact with them. These items are extremely dangerous and someone needs to be supervising them at all times.

Portable space heaters can be extremely dangerous. They can easily be knocked over by people or pets. They can also be placed too close to flammable objects like curtains, clothes, furniture, etc. If you choose to use one, do not use one while sleeping and always stay in the same room as the heater. Pets and children should not have access to them at any time.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the invisible killer because you cannot see it or smell it. This poisonous gas is created when fossil fuels, such as kerosene, gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane, methane or wood, do not burn completely. The only way to detect CO is with a working CO alarm.

CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.