12.1: Fire Safety Inspection Checklist Animation Video
Transcript:
Fire Safety Inspection Checklist
A fire in the home is a dangerous emergency that can be deadly. Conducting a fire safety inspection and addressing any concerns can help you prevent fires and remain safe if one occurs.
First, make sure that nobody smokes inside your house. In particular, keep tobacco smoke away from beds or couches. A cigarette butt may stay lit for multiple hours, and can cause a fire when in contact with furniture or other materials.
Candles may seem small and harmless, but remember that candles are still open flames. Make sure to place candles at least one foot away from any materials that may catch fire, including clothing, books, bedding, or curtains. Never leave lit candles unattended. Avoid using candles in bedrooms, or other areas where people may fall asleep.
Smoke detectors are your family’s best protection against unnoticed fires, particularly throughout the night. Your family should have smoke detectors on every level of the house, outside any sleeping area, in the kitchen, and near the furnace. Test smoke detectors every month and replace the batteries at least once a year to make sure the smoke detectors work properly.
Certain materials are flammable, which means they are easy to catch fire. Make sure that these materials are not placed near any sources of heat or flames, including a fireplace, stove or oven, and heating vents.
Space heaters can become dangerous fire hazards when plugged in using extension cords. Make sure that any space heaters in your house are plugged in directly to the wall outlet. In addition, keep space heaters at least one foot away from anything flammable including furniture or curtains.
When grease builds up in stovetops and ovens, it can cause kitchen fires. Regularly clean these surfaces of grease to prevent this hazard.
A hot stove can prove dangerous when left unattended. Keep an eye on any pots or pans cooking on a hot stove. If you need to leave the kitchen while something is cooking, ask someone to watch the stove for you, or remove the pot or pan from the hot stove temporarily.
Regularly check all electrical cords. Fraying in the wiring can cause sparks, which can start a house fire.
When electrical outlets are overloaded with too many cords plugged in, they can become fire hazards. Check your outlets to make sure they are not overloaded.
Finally, check that any electrical appliances are unplugged when they are not in use.
After you have completed this safety inspection in your house with your parents or guardians, address any areas of concerns that you noticed during your inspection.