Residential Safety Checklist

Exterior

• House number visible from the street.
• Trees and brush are kept away from electrical wiring.
• 30-feet of clearance between your home and dead/dry plants, log piles, and un-trimmed trees.

Smoke/ Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• There is one near each sleeping area and on every floor.
• They are cleaned/ tested regularly and batteries changed yearly.
• Smoke alarms are less than 10 years old.
• Carbon Monoxide alarms are used in homes with fuel burning appliances

Kitchen/ Cooking

• Stoves are not used to heat home.
• Cooking is not left unattended.
• It is against house rules for children to be in the kitchen while cooking.
• You know not to put water on grease fires, it is best to put a lid on it.
• There are no combustible materials near the stove.

Heating/Fire Place

• Do not use kerosene or flammable liquids to start fire.
• Heaters are kept at least 3 feet away from combustible materials.
• Portable heaters are turned off/unplugged before going to bed or when leaving the room.
• Fireplaces are equipped with a spark screen and ashes are placed in a metal container.
• Lint is cleared from behind clothes dryer.

Electrical

• Electrical wiring is not exposed or damaged.
• Fuse boxes are equipped with proper fuses and outlets are not overloaded.
• Extension cords are not secured on walls, or run under doorways.
• A Qualified Electrician installed your wiring.
• Extension cords are not used as a permanent power source.
• You use only extension cords with a built-in circuit breaker.

Housekeeping

• Candles are lit/ used away from combustible materials and never left unattended.
• Oily rags/mops are destroyed or placed in covered metal cans.
• Hazardous materials/chemicals are labeled and kept out of reach of children
• Hazardous chemicals are properly stored in limited amounts and are kept away from heat sources.

Smoking

• Do not smoke while lying down or using oxygen.
• Lighters/ matches are kept away from children.
• Use an appropriate ash tray.

Additional Resources