Recommendations:

Recommendations:


* Operate heater away from combustible materials. Do not
place heaters where towels or the like could fall on the
appliance and trigger a fire.

* Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary.
If you must use an extension cord with your electric
heater, make sure it is marked with a power rating at
least as high as that of the heater itself. Keep the cord
stretched out. Do not permit the cord to become buried
under carpeting or rugs. Do not place anything on top of
the cord.

* Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the
like. Never use heaters to dry wearing apparel or shoes.


Cooking Equipment


Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more
than 100,000 fires annually, and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000
injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about 30,000
fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.

You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety
statements.

Yes No

1. The storage area above the stove is
free of flammable and combustible
items. _____ _____

2. Short or tight fitting sleeves, and
tight fitting shirts, robes, gowns,
etc., are worn while cooking. _____ _____

3. Items that could attract children
(e.g. cookies and candy) are not kept
above the range and are kept out of
the immediate area. _____ _____

4. The stove is not left unattended when
cooking especially when the burner is
turned to a high setting. _____ _____



Recommendations:


* Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels
and other non-cooking equipment on or near the range
because these items can be ignited.

* Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic
bands while cooking. Do not reach across a range while
cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on
fire than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also
more apt to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and
pans and cause scalds.



* Do not place candy or cookies over top of ranges. This
will reduce the attraction kids may have for climbing on
cooking equipment, thus reducing the possibility of their
clothing catching fire.

* Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is required
above the "keep warm" setting.


Cigarette Lighters and Matches


Each year more than 200 deaths are associated with fires
started by cigarette lighters. About two thirds of these result
from children playing with lighters. Most of the victims are
under five years old.


You should be able to answer "yes" to the safety statements
below.

Yes No

1. Cigarette lighters and matches are
kept out of the reach of children. _____ _____

2. Cigarette lighters are never used to
entertain a child. _____ _____



Recommendations:


* Keep lighters and matches out of sight and out of the
reach of children. Children as young as two years old are
capable of lighting cigarette lighters and matches.

* Never encourage or allow a child to play with a lighter or
to think of it as a toy. Do not use it as a source of
amusement for a child. Once their curiosity is aroused,
children may seek out a lighter and try to light it.

* Always check to see that cigarettes are extinguished
before emptying ashtrays. Stubs that are still burning can
ignite trash.


Materials That Burn


Your home is filled with materials and products that will
burn if ignited. Upholstered furniture, clothing, drapery
fabrics, and liquids such as gasoline and volatile solvents are
involved in many injury-causing fires each year. Most of these
fires could be prevented.


Upholstered Furniture


In 1989, there were 18,600 residential fires associated
with upholstered furniture; about 900 people lost their lives.
About one half of these fires were caused by smoking materials.
Property losses amounted to over $100 million from fires
started by cigarette ignition of upholstered furniture.

You should be able to respond "yes" to the safety
statements below.

Yes No

1. Upholstered furniture fabrics made
from vinyl, wool or thermoplastic
fibers are generally selected for
safety reasons. _____ _____

2. I check thoroughly after parties for
ashes or unextinguished cigarettes
that may have fallen behind and
between cushions and under furniture. _____ _____



Recommendations:


* Look for furniture designed to reduce the likelihood of
furniture fire from cigarettes. Much of the furniture
manufactured today has significantly greater resistance to
ignition by cigarettes than upholstered furniture
manufactured 10 to 15 years ago. This is particularly true
of furniture manufactured to comply with the requirements
of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council's (UFAC)
Voluntary Action Program. Such upholstered furniture may
be identified by the gold colored tag on the furniture
item. The legend on the front of the tag in red letters
states--"Important Consumer Safety Information from UFAC."

* Always check the furniture where smokers have been sitting
for improperly discarded smoking materials. Ashes and
lighted cigarettes can fall unnoticed behind or between
cushions or under furniture.

* Do not place or leave ashtrays on the arms of chairs where
they can be knocked off.





* Look for fabrics made predominantly from thermoplastic
fibers (nylon, polyester, acrylic, olefin) because they
resist ignition by burning cigarettes better than
cellulosic fabrics (rayon or cotton). In general, the
higher the thermoplastic content, the greater the
resistance to cigarette ignition.


Mattresses and Bedding


Smoldering fires in mattresses and bedding materials
caused by cigarettes are a major cause of deaths in residential
fires. In 1989 over 35,000 mattress/bedding fires caused about
700 deaths.

You should be able to respond "yes" to the following
safety statements.

Yes No

1. "No smoking in bed" is a rule that
is practiced in my home. _____ _____

2. Heaters, ash trays, smoking materials
and other fire sources are located
away from bedding. _____ _____


Recommendations:


* DO NOT smoke in bed. Smoking in bed is a major cause of
accidental fire deaths in homes.

* Locate heaters or other fire sources three feet from the
bed to prevent the bed catching on fire.

* Consider replacing your old mattress with a new one if you
are a smoker. Mattresses manufactured since 1973 are
required to resist cigarette ignition.



Wearing Apparel


Most fibers used in clothing can burn, some more quickly
than others. A significant number of clothing fires occur in
the over 65 age group principally from nightwear (robes,
pajamas, nightgowns). In 1989 about 200 clothing fire deaths
were reported; about three fourths occurred in the 65 and older
age group. The severity of apparel burns is high. Hospital
stays average over one month.

Small open flames, including matches, cigarette lighters,
and candles are the major sources of clothing ignition. These
are followed by ranges, open fires and space heaters. The most
commonly worn garments that are associated with clothing
ignition injuries are pajamas, nightgowns, robes,
shirts/blouses, pants/slacks and dresses.



You should be able to respond "yes" to the following
statements.

Yes No

1. When purchasing wearing apparel I
consider fiber content and fabric
construction for safety purposes. _____ _____

2. I purchase garments for my children
that are intended for sleepwear since
they are made to be flame resistant. _____ _____


Recommendations:


* Consider purchasing fabrics such as 100% polyester, nylon,
wool and silk that are difficult to ignite and tend to
self extinguish.

* Consider the flammability of certain fabrics containing
cotton, cotton/polyester blends, rayon, and acrylic. These
are relatively easy to ignite and burn rapidly.

* Look at fabric construction. It also affect ignitability.
Tight weaves or knits and fabrics without a fuzzy or
napped surface are less likely to ignite and burn rapidly
than open knits or weaves, or fabrics with brushed or
piled surfaces.

* Consider purchasing garments that can be removed without
having to pull them over the head. Clothes that are easily
removed can help prevent serious burns. If a garment can
be quickly stripped off when it catches fire, injury will
be far less severe or avoided altogether.

* Follow manufacturer's care and cleaning instructions on
products labeled "flame resistant" to ensure that their
flame resistant properties are maintained.


Flammable Liquids


One of the major causes of household fires is flammable
liquids. These include gasoline, acetone, benzene, lacquer
thinner, alcohol, turpentine, contact cements, paint thinner,
kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid. The most dangerous of all
is gasoline.

You should be able to respond "yes" to the following
safety statements.

Yes No

1. Flammable liquids are stored in
properly labeled, tightly closed
non-glass containers. _____ _____

2. These products are stored away from
heaters, furnaces, water heaters,
ranges, and other gas appliances. _____ _____

3. Flammable liquids are stored out of
reach of children. _____ _____



Recommendation:

* Take extra precautions in storing and using flammable
liquids, such as gasoline, paint thinners, etc. They
produce invisible explosive vapors that can ignite by a
small spark at considerable distances from the flammable
substance. Store outside the house.


Early Warning and Escape


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.


Smoke Detectors

Yes No

1. At least one smoke detector is
located on every floor of my home. _____ _____

2. Smoke detectors are placed near
bedrooms, either on the ceiling or
6-12 inches below the ceiling on the
wall. _____ _____

3. 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. _____ _____

4. Batteries are replaced according to
manufacturer's instructions, at least
annually. _____ _____

5. Batteries are never disconnected. _____ _____

6. The detector has a distinct warning
signal that can be heard whether
asleep or awake. _____ _____



Follow manufacturer's directions for testing the detector.



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 air flow or
"dead" spots are to be avoided.


Recommendations:


* Purchase a smoke detector if you do not have one. Smoke
detectors are inexpensive and are required by law in many
localities. Check local codes and regulations before you
buy your smoke detector because some codes require
specific types of detectors. They provide an early warning
which is critical because the longer the delay, the
deadlier the consequences.

* Read the instructions that come with the detector for
advice on the best place to install it. As a minimum
detectors should be located near bedrooms and one on every
floor.

* Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper
maintenance. Smoke detectors can save lives, but only if
properly installed and maintained.

* Never disconnect a detector. Consider relocating the
detector rather than disconnecting it if it is subject to
nuisance alarms, e.g. from cooking.

* Replace the battery annually, or when a "chirping" sound
is heard.

* Follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning your
detector. Excessive dust, grease or other material in the
detector may cause it to operate abnormally. Vacuum the
grill work of your detector.


Escape Plan


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.

Yes No

1. The family has an escape plan and an
alternate escape plan. _____ _____

2. Escape routes and plans are rehearsed
periodically. _____ _____

3. The escape plan includes choosing a
place safely outside the house where
the family can meet to be sure
everyone got out safely. _____ _____

4. At least two exits from each part of
the house are established. _____ _____

5. The fire department number is posted
on every telephone. _____ _____


Recommendations:


* 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.