Atchison, Kansas - Fire Dept.

Most fatal fires are home fires. Take a tour of your home and use this printed checklist to see how safe your household is from fire.

IN THE KITCHEN

O YES O NO

Do cooks stay in the kitchen while cooking?

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.

O YES O NO

Is the stove top clean & uncluttered?

Greasy or cluttered stove tops can lead to fires. Clean your stove's surfaces routinely and keep towels, cooking utensils, food, packaging, recipes, and other flammable objects away from your burners. The oven and broiler should be clean. Greasy buildup or spilled food can catch fire.

O YES O NO

Are there oven mitts within easy reach of the stove?

If a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner. Don't try to carry or move the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pan is cool to the touch. If the fire spreads, leave and call the fire department from outside.

O YES O NO

Are your electrical appliances in good condition?

Replace or service any appliance that shows warning signs: gives you a shock when you touch it, gets too hot, or gives off smoke or a smell when in use. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords.

O YES O NO

Are the electrical loads on outlets properly limited?

No more than one heat-producing appliance (toaster, coffeemaker, waffle iron) should be plugged into an outlet.

IN THE LIVING AREAS

O YES O NO

If someone in your household smokes, do you have large, deep, non-tip ashtrays?

Don't just dump cigarette butts into a wastebasket. Wet the contents of ashtrays before you empty them. And check your furniture for smoldering butts if someone has been smoking.

O YES O NO

Are portable and other space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from anything that can burn?

Turn space heaters off before you go to bed or leave home.

O YES O NO

Do you have a sturdy screen on your fireplace?

A heavy metal screen or built-in glass doors help contain fireplace fires and keep sparks from flying into the room.

O YES O NO

Is your chimney clean?

Each year, have your chimney professionally inspected and clean out any creosote deposits. To minimize buildup, burn only dry, seasoned hard wood in fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. And never burn trash in either one.

O YES O NO

Are matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children?

Matches and lighters should be kept up high and out of sight in a drawer or cabinet, preferably locked, away from the reach of curious children.

SMOKE ALARMS AND SPRINKLERS

O YES O NO

Are there working smoke alarms installed on every floor of your home?

Smoke alarms save lives by warning people about a fire in time to escape. Install smoke alarms on every floor (including the basement) and outside every sleeping area--inside as well is people sleep with their doors closed.

O YES O NO

Do all of your smoke alarms work?

Test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the "test" button and replace the batteries once a year (or sooner if an alarm "chirps" to tell you its battery is low). Never borrow batteries from a smoke alarm.

O YES O NO

Are your smoke alarms clean?

Vacuum smoke alarms to remove dust. Never paint smoke alarms.

O YES O NO

Are your smoke alarms younger than 10 years?

Nothing lasts forever; smoke alarms lose their sensitivity over time and should be replaced after 10 years.

O YES O NO

Do you know that fire sprinklers can be installed in homes?

Automatic fire sprinkler systems control or extinguish fires in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive. Consider installing them in your home.

ESCAPING A FIRE

O YES O NO

Does your household have a home escape plan?

Every household should have one and should physically practice it twice a year.

O YES O NO

Are there two ways out of every room?

That includes windows. In a fire, the usual exits may be blocked by smoke or flame. Everyone must know how they would get out if their primary escape route was blocked.

O YES O NO

If you have security bars on your windows, do they have quick-release devices?

Make sure doors and doorlocks, security bars, and storm windows as well as can be opened quickly and easily from the inside by all members of the household.

WORKSHOPS, STORAGE AREAS, AND OUTDOORS

O YES O NO

Are flammable liquids stored safely?

Never use or bring gasoline inside the home. Store gasoline in an outside shed or detached garage--in small quantities in safety cans, labeled and approved for gasoline storage. Always store paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled containers with tight-fitting lids. Use and store flammable liquids far away from appliances, heaters, pilot lights, and other sources of heat or flame.

O YES O NO

Are fuses and circuit breakers the right size?

Never replace a fuse or circuit breaker with one that exceeds the circuit's amperage rating. And never replace a fuse with a penny or other conductive material.

O YES O NO

Are outdoor power supplies safe?

Outdoor receptacles should be weatherproof and protected by a ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

O YES O NO

Do you have a working portable fire extinguisher?

Install your extinguisher on a wall away from your stove, near a door, and out of children's reach. Check your extinguishers once a month, following manufacturer's instructions.