Home Fire Safety Checklist for Every Household

Fire safety is one of those subjects that's easy to put off until tomorrow. Yet a few simple precautions and the right equipment can make an enormous difference if the unexpected happens. A well-prepared home gives everyone more time to react, more ways to escape and better protection for the people and belongings that matter most.

This checklist covers the essentials every household should review, from alarms and extinguishers to escape planning, kitchen safety and fire-resistant upgrades for your home's exterior.

Smoke alarms: your first line of defense

Working smoke alarms provide the early warning that gives people time to get out safely. Place alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, inside each bedroom and in the hallway outside sleeping areas. Mount them on ceilings or high on walls, away from kitchens and bathrooms where cooking smoke or steam can cause false alarms.

• Interconnected alarms are ideal: when one sounds, they all sound, so everyone is alerted no matter where the fire starts.
• Test alarms regularly using the test button, and replace batteries as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Replace aging alarms according to the date printed on the device, since sensors become less reliable over time.
• Consider smart alarms that send alerts to your phone when you're away from home.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces and vehicles. Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of the home and near sleeping areas, especially if you have gas appliances or an attached garage. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are a convenient option.

Fire extinguishers

A fire extinguisher can stop a small fire before it spreads, but only if it's accessible and the right type. Multipurpose extinguishers rated for common household fires are a good choice for most homes. Keep one in the kitchen, one in the garage and one on each level of the home, mounted near an exit so you're never trapped behind the fire while using it.

Remember the simple technique: pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side. If a fire is spreading or the room fills with smoke, leave immediately and call emergency services from outside.

Preparation turns panic into action. When everyone knows the plan, every second counts in your favor.

Plan and practice your escape

Every household should have a home escape plan. Walk through your home and identify two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window. Make sure windows open easily and that security bars have quick-release mechanisms. Choose a meeting place outside, such as a mailbox or neighbor's driveway, where everyone gathers.

• Practice the plan with the whole household, including at night.
• Teach children what alarms sound like and how to get low and crawl under smoke.
• Assign someone to help young children, older adults or anyone with limited mobility.
• Consider escape ladders for upper-floor bedrooms.
• Remind everyone never to go back inside a burning building.

Kitchen safety

Cooking is a leading cause of home fires. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling, and keep flammable items such as towels, oven mitts and packaging away from the stovetop. If a grease fire starts, never use water. Slide a lid over the pan and turn off the heat. Keep the oven door closed if a fire starts inside. A fire blanket stored near the stove is a helpful extra precaution.

Electrical safety

• Avoid overloading outlets and power strips.
• Replace damaged, frayed or warm cords immediately.
• Have flickering lights, buzzing outlets or frequently tripping breakers checked by a licensed electrician.
• Use the correct bulb wattage for each fixture.
• Unplug small appliances, such as toasters and hair tools, when not in use.

Heating and fireplace safety

Keep anything that can burn at a safe distance from space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces. Turn off portable heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. Have chimneys and heating systems inspected and cleaned regularly, and use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace. Let ashes cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container outside.

Fire-resistant home upgrades

In areas prone to wildfires, the home's exterior plays an important role. Consider:

• Class-rated, fire-resistant roofing and ember-resistant vents.
• Non-combustible siding, such as fiber cement or stucco.
• Dual-pane or tempered glass windows, which better resist heat.
• Defensible space around the home, with plants kept well-watered and dead vegetation removed.
• Clean gutters and roofs free of leaves and debris that can catch embers.

Protect important documents

Store important documents and irreplaceable items in a fire-resistant safe, and keep digital copies of key records in secure cloud storage. A home inventory with photos or video can be invaluable if you ever need to file an insurance claim.

Your Questions, Answered

Want peace of mind? Our fire safety specialists can assess your home, install interconnected alarms and recommend upgrades that help protect your household.