Home fire prevention tips

{{whyLabel}}: Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 60%.

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• Place alarms inside every bedroom and outside every sleeping area (e.g., hallways).
• Ensure there is at least one alarm on every floor, including the basement.
• Mount alarms on the ceiling at least 4 inches from walls, or on walls 4–12 inches from the ceiling.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Every level and bedroom has a functioning smoke alarm installed.

{{whyLabel}}: If a fire starts in the basement, you need to hear the alarm in your bedroom immediately.

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• Purchase wireless or hardwired interconnected alarms.
• Test the connection to ensure that when one alarm is triggered, all alarms in the house sound simultaneously.
• Use 2025-compliant models that resist nuisance alarms from cooking.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All alarms sound together when any single unit is tested.

{{whyLabel}}: CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal; it often originates from the same sources as fires (heating/cooking).

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• Place detectors near sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
• Keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances to avoid false readings.
• Replace units every 5–7 years as sensors degrade.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: CO detectors are installed and functional on all levels.

{{whyLabel}}: Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires; distractions and accidental bumps increase risk.

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• Mark a 3-foot (1-meter) perimeter around the stove using tape or a mental boundary.
• Never leave the stove unattended while frying, grilling, or broiling.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A clear 3-foot safety zone is maintained during all cooking activities.

{{whyLabel}}: Grease buildup is highly flammable and can turn a small flare-up into a major fire.

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• Degrease the stovetop, oven, and exhaust hood filters.
• Remove towels, wooden utensils, and paper packaging from the immediate vicinity of the burners.
• Clean the crumb tray in your toaster and the area behind the microwave.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All cooking surfaces are free of visible grease and combustible items.

{{whyLabel}}: Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, often due to proximity to combustibles.

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• Keep space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves at least 3 feet away from curtains, furniture, and bedding.
• Only use space heaters with automatic shut-off features if tipped over.
• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets, never into extension cords.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All heat sources have a 3-foot clearance from flammable materials.

{{whyLabel}}: Frayed or pinched cords can short-circuit and ignite nearby carpets or furniture.

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• Check all appliance cords for cracks, fraying, or heat discoloration.
• Ensure cords are not run under rugs or through doorways where they can be damaged.
• Replace any cord that feels warm to the touch during use.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All visible electrical cords are in good condition and properly placed.

{{whyLabel}}: Lint is highly combustible; restricted airflow causes heat buildup that ignites the lint.

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• Clean the lint filter before or after every load.
• Use a vacuum attachment to clean the internal lint housing once a month.
• Inspect the external vent outside the house to ensure the flap opens freely and no lint is clogging the pipe.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The dryer vent pipe is clear of lint and airflow is unobstructed.

{{whyLabel}}: Overloading circuits by plugging power strips into other power strips is a major fire hazard.

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• Ensure every power strip is plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Calculate the load: high-wattage appliances (heaters, ACs, toasters) should have their own dedicated outlet.
• Use surge protectors with internal circuit breakers.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: No power strips are connected to other power strips or extension cords.

{{whyLabel}}: An ABC extinguisher can handle wood/paper, liquids, and electrical fires, stopping small fires before they grow.

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• Place one in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one near bedrooms.
• Mount them in visible, accessible locations near exits.
• Memorize the PASS method: Pull the pin, Aim low, Squeeze the lever, Sweep side-to-side.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Extinguishers are mounted and accessible on every floor.

{{whyLabel}}: If the primary exit (door) is blocked by smoke or fire, you must have a pre-planned secondary exit.

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• Identify two ways out of every room (usually a door and a window).
• Ensure all windows open easily and are not painted shut or blocked by furniture.
• Purchase a fire escape ladder for bedrooms on upper floors.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A written escape map exists and all exits are verified as functional.

{{whyLabel}}: A meeting spot allows you to quickly account for everyone and prevents people from re-entering a burning building.

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• Choose a fixed landmark at a safe distance from the house (e.g., a specific tree, mailbox, or neighbor's porch).
• Ensure the spot is in front of the house so firefighters can see you.
• Teach everyone that once they are out, they must stay out.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Every household member knows the exact meeting location.

{{whyLabel}}: Alarms can fail due to dead batteries or sensor malfunction; monthly tests ensure they work when needed.

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• Press the 'Test' button on every unit in the house.
• Use a broom handle if the alarm is high up.
• Vacuum the exterior of the alarm to remove dust that can cause false triggers.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All alarms have been successfully tested and cleaned.

{{whyLabel}}: Creosote buildup in chimneys and cracked heat exchangers in furnaces are major hidden fire risks.

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• Hire a certified professional to sweep the chimney and inspect the flue.
• Have an HVAC technician perform a safety check on the furnace or boiler before the heating season.
• Keep records of these inspections for insurance purposes.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Professional inspections are completed and documented.