Clothes Dryer Safety
Home Inspection
Things to Think About
Fires are likely to start in many places in the home including the kitchen, living room, bedroom
and storage areas such as, the attic, basement, workroom or storeroom. Causes of fire include
overheated or overloaded electrical wire, cigarette ashes, smoldering ashes in the couch, sparks
from the fireplace, unattended outdoor fires and barbecues, appliances in poor repair and
unattended cooking in the kitchen.
One of the best ways to prevent fire in the home is to do a home inspection specifically
looking for the fire hazards or preparing for emergency measures in case of a fire. Inspect your
home one section at a time:
Kitchen
All electrical appliances and tools should have a testing
agency label. Have the appliances
repaired if they aren't working right. If an appliance gets wet, have it serviced.
- Check the cords on all appliances. If they are worn or frayed, have them repaired.
- Don't overload the outlets.
- Make sure appliance cords are kept on the counter to prevent them from being pulled
down by young children.
- Don't store things over the stove. People get burned while reaching.
- Turn pot handles so children can't pull them down.
- Wear tight sleeves when cooking. Loose-fitting garments can catch fire.
- Check to see if curtains or towel racks are close to the stove.
- Check to see if the stove and oven are clean of grease and oil.
- Be sure a fire extinguisher is placed in the
kitchen. The Phoenix Fire Department
recommends a minimum 2A10BC extinguisher.
- All cleaning products and other chemicals should be stored out of the reach of young
children, not under the sink. Cleaning products and other chemicals also should be stored
separately from foods.
- Be sure microwave ovens have room to "breathe," all the vents are cleared of
obstructions.
Living room or family room
- Be sure portable space heaters are at least three
feet away from anything that can catch fire including walls and curtains.
- Use a metal or glass fireplace screen. Have the
chimney checked and cleaned regularly.
- Put lighters and matches where small children won't find them.
- Too small or too full ashtrays are no good. Ashtrays should be large, deep and emptied
frequently, but only when all signs of heat and burning are gone.
- Before going to bed, look under cushions for burning
cigarettes. Check carpeting where ashtrays have been used.
- Allow plenty of air space around the TV and stereo to prevent overheating. If these
appliances are not working correctly, be sure to have them repaired. In the meantime, unplug
them.
- Check for worn or frayed extension cords or other electrical cords.
- Extension cords should not run under rugs and carpets or be looped over nails or other
sharp objects that could cause them to fray.
- Check for overloaded outlets or extension cords.
- Electrical sockets should be covered with a child-proof fitting.
- Lamp and light fixtures should be used with bulbs with wattage at or below
maximum prescribed by the manufacturer.
Bathroom
- Check for overloaded extension cords and outlets.
- Don't place or use any appliances near water.
- Make sure all medicines and cosmetics are kept out of the reach of small children.
Install safety latches on drawers, cupboards and medicine cabinets if the home has small
children.
- Dump old or outdated medicine into the toilet.
Bedrooms
- Smoke detectors should be tested regularly to be
sure they are functioning correctly.
- Have a working flashlight next to each bed.
- Again, check for overloaded outlets, extension cords and heaters that are too close to
combustible items.
- Each member of the family should know what to do in the event of a fire.
- Do all family members know the fire escape plan?
- Plan two escapes from each bedroom in case of a fire.
- If you smoke, DO NOT smoke in bed.
Basement, Garage and Storage
- Store gasoline and other flammables in tight
metal containers. Don't use flammable liquids near heat, a pilot light or while smoking.
- Have heating equipment checked yearly.
- Clean up workbench.
- If a fuse blows, find the problem. Be sure to replace a fuse with one the correct size.
- Don't store things near the furnace or heater.
- Get rid of stored newspaper or other rubbish. Newspapers stored in a damp, warm
place may ignite spontaneously.
- Oily, greasy rags should be kept in labeled and sealed non-glass containers, preferably
metal.
- Keep all chemicals, paints, etc. in their original containers.
- Set your water heater at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Outdoors
- Is your roof fire retardant? Roofing material, whether it is asphalt shingle, shake shingle,
tile or slate can be treated with fire retardant processes.
- Don't ever use gasoline on a grill. Once the fire has been started, never use lighter fluid
or gasoline. Use dry kindling to revive the fire.
- Move the lawnmower away from gasoline fumes before starting. Allow the engine to
cool before refueling.
- Install a lightning protection system.
- Don't store more of anything than is needed.
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- Smoking in bed, in a chair, or on the sofa when tired, drinking or under medication.
- Spraying aerosols while smoking or near a space heater, range or other ignition sources.
- Using a cigarette lighter after spilling fluid on the hands or clothing.
- Leaning against a range for warmth or standing too near a heater or fireplace.
- Single deadbolt locks with inside thumb turns wherever possible. When a double key
deadbolt is used, such as in a door with windows or other openings, a key should be left in
the interior lock whenever anyone is inside the home.
- If window security bars are desired, install or retrofit windows with bars that have a
single action quick release. Every bedroom must have minimum of one exit that can be
opened to the outside of the home. You must be able to use the exit without special tools.
A key is considered a special tool. The Phoenix Fire Department advises that bars on
windows should have a single action quick release device.
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Every 15 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. A
residential fire occurs every 66 seconds. There is one civilian fire death every 118 minutes.
There
is one civilian fire injury every 18 minutes.