Parents & Teachers
Family Safety Advocate, Jacquie Palisi advises parents how to create a home that is free of fire hazards, and an escape plan to protect your family. Also, view and download our Fire Prevention and Escape Plan Grid to create an evacuation plan for your own home.
Deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States and the third leading cause of fatal home injury. The United State's mortality rate from fires ranks sixth among the 25 developed countries for which statistics are available (International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics 2003).
Although the number of fatalities and injuries caused by residential fires has declined gradually over the past several decades, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable and continue to pose a significant public health problem.
Even when you have complied with every item in this Home Fire Safety Checklist, you still need to have a plan for early warning and escape in case a fire does occur. Many fire deaths and fire injuries are actually caused by smoke and gases. Victims inhale smoke and poisonous gases that rise ahead of the flames. Survival depends on being warned as early as possible and having an escape plan.
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following statements.
At least one smoke detector is located on every floor of my home
YES ____ NO ____
Smoke detectors are placed near bedrooms, either on the ceiling or 6-12 inches below the ceiling on the wall.
YES ____ NO ____
Smoke detectors are tested according to manufacturer's instructions on a regular basis (at least once a month) and are kept in working condition at all times.
YES ____ NO ____
Batteries are replaced according to manufacturer's instructions, at least annually.
YES ____ NO ____
Batteries are never disconnected.
YES ____ NO ____
The detector has a distinct warning signal that can be heard whether asleep or awake.
YES ____ NO ____
Test your detector monthly. Follow manufacturer's directions for testing the detector. Place one detector on every floor. Make sure detectors are placed either on the ceiling or 6-12 inches below the ceiling on the wall. Locate smoke detectors away from air vents or registers; high airflow or "dead" spots are to be avoided.
Planning ahead, rehearsing, thinking, and acting clearly are keys to surviving a fire. How prepared are you?
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following statements.
The family has an escape plan and an alternate escape plan.
YES ____ NO ____
Escape routes and plans are rehearsed periodically.
YES ____ NO ____
Smoke detectors are tested according to manufacturer's instructions on a regular basis (at least once a month) and are kept in working condition at all times.
YES ____ NO ____
The escape plan includes choosing a place safely outside the house where the family can meet to be sure everyone got out safely.
YES ____ NO ____
At least two exits from each part of the house are established..
YES ____ NO ____
The fire department number is posted on every telephone.
YES ____ NO ____
Establish advanced family planning for escape. It is an important partner with smoke detectors and it will prepare you for a fire emergency.
Include small children as a part of the discussion and rehearsal. It is especially important to make sure they understand that they must escape; they can't hide from fire under a bed or in a closet.
Your life and that of your family can be saved by foresight, planning, discussing and rehearsal.
Sources: The safety tips in this section were compiled from the following great internet resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov)