Your Home Fire Safety Checklist

Your Home Fire Safety Checklist



Table of Contents

About the Commission

Introduction

Sources Of Fire

Supplemental Home Heating Equipment
Cooking Equipment
Cigarette Lighters and Matches

Materials That Burn

Upholstered Furniture
Mattresses and Bedding
Wearing Apparel
Flammable Liquids

Early Warning and Escape

Smoke Detectors
Escape Plan


About the Commission


This Home Fire Safety Checklist was developed by the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent
regulatory agency of the U.S. Government.

The Commission has four statutory missions:

-- to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury
associated with consumer products;

-- to assist consumers in evaluating the comparative
safety of consumer products;

-- to develop uniform safety standards for consumer
products and minimize conflicting state and local
regulations; and

-- to promote research and investigation into the causes
and prevention of product-related deaths, injuries and
illnesses.

It has jurisdiction over more than 15,000 consumer
products used in the home, school and in public places. Among
the products not subject to the Commission's authority are
food, drugs, automobiles, tobacco, and fire arms. The
Commission administers five safety laws: The Consumer Product
Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable
Fabrics Act, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, and the
Refrigerator Act.

CPSC began operation on May 14, 1973. It is headed by
three Commissioners appointed by the President with the advice
and consent of the Senate.

On October 29, 1973, the Commission instituted a toll-free
Hotline to make it easier for consumers to report
product-related injuries or potentially hazardous products, and
to get information on recalled products seven days a week, 24
hours a day. You may call the Commission's Hotline from
anywhere in the continental U.S. by dialing 1-800-638-2772. A
teletypewriter for the hearing impaired is also available
(including Alaska and Hawaii) on a special Hotline number
1-800-638-8270, in Maryland only dial 1-800-492-8104. To order
publications, write to the Office of Information and Public
Affairs, Washington, DC 20207.



Introduction


The United States has one of the highest fire death and
injury rates in the world. Fire--in the form of flames and
smoke--is the second leading cause of accidental death in the
home.

More than 4,000 people die each year in home fires. Every
year, there are more than 500,000 residential fires serious
enough to be reported to fire departments. More than 90 percent
of residential fire deaths and injuries result from fires in
one and two family houses and apartments. Property losses
exceed 4 billion dollars annually, and the long term emotional
damage to victims and their loved ones is incalculable.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has
targeted the principal consumer products associated with fires,
namely home heating devices, upholstered furniture, bedding,
cigarette lighters, matches, and wearing apparel. The
Commission is participating in a special Congressionally
authorized study of cigarette-ignited fires, which cause more
deaths than any other kind of fire. The Commission continues to
push for extensive use of smoke detectors. With the help of
concerned consumers, the number of residential fires has
declined about 30 percent since 1980.

The CPSC is fulfilling its role to make products
inherently more fire safe. We recognize that much more can be
done to cut down on the needlessly high and tragic fire toll by
an alert and informed public. Many of the injuries associated
with flammable products result from hazards that are
overlooked. Fire experts agree that one key to fewer fires is a
greater awareness of how accidents can be prevented. By
spotting these hazards and taking some simple precautions, many
fires and fire-related injuries can be prevented.

Use this checklist as a safety guide to spot possible fire
safety problems which may be present in your home. It is a
first step in reducing the risk of fire. Check YES or NO to
answer each question. If you check NO to any question, the
potential hazard should be corrected to avoid the risk of
injury or death.

How safe is your home from fire?


PRODUCT SAFETY, IT'S NO ACCIDENT!


Sources of Fire


Supplemental Home Heating


The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and
coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and
electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number of
residential fires.

Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated
with supplemental heaters, it is important to remember that
about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the
use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential
fires. These fires kill more than 600 people. Annually there
are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of carbon
monoxide poisonings.


Wood Stoves


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

Yes No

1. The wood stove or fireplace has been
installed according to existing
building codes and manufacturer's
instructions. _____ _____

2. The chimney and stovepipe are checked
frequently during the heating season
for creosote buildup and are cleaned
when necessary. _____ _____

3. The stove sits on a non-combustible
or on a code-specified or listed
floor protector. _____ _____

4. Combustibles such as curtains, chairs,
firewood, etc., are at least three
feet away from the stove. _____ _____

5. Only proper fuel is used in the stove. _____ _____

6. A metal container with a tight-fitting
lid is used for ash removal. _____ _____



Recommendations:


* Do not use wood burning stoves and fireplaces unless they
are properly installed and meet building codes.

* Follow the label instructions on the stove which
recommends an inspection twice monthly. Have chimneys
inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.
Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood burning stoves.
Creosote builds up in chimney flues and can cause a
chimney fire. To cut down on creosote buildup, avoid
smoldering fires.

* Use a code-specified or listed floor protector. It should
extend 18 inches beyond the stove on all sides. This will
reduce the possibility of the floor being ignited.

* Follow the instructions on the stove label for proper
location of the stove from combustible walls.

* Never burn trash in a stove because this could over heat
the stove. Gasoline and other flammable liquids should
never be used to start wood stove fires. Gasoline will
ignite and explode. Use coal only if designated as
appropriate by the manufacturer.


Kerosene Heaters


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

Yes No

1. Only 1-K kerosene is used and it is
bought from a dealer who can certify
that the product is 1-K kerosene. _____ _____

2. The heater is placed out of the path
of traffic areas such as doorways and
hallways. _____ _____

3. Kerosene is stored outdoors, and out
of the reach of children in a tightly
sealed, preferably blue plastic or
metal container, labeled "kerosene." _____ _____

4. No attempt is to be made to move the
heater if flare-up (flames outside the
heater cabinet) occurs. The fire
department is called immediately. _____ _____

5. The heater is used in well ventilated
rooms. _____ _____

6. The heater is turned off while
sleeping and is never left operating
unattended. _____ _____

7. The heater is placed at least three
feet away from anything that might
catch fire such as clothing,
furniture, curtains, etc. _____ _____


Recommendations:


* Check with your local fire marshal regarding local and
state codes and regulations for using a kerosene heater.

* NEVER USE GASOLINE. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed
with kerosene can increase the risk of fire.

* Use properly labeled containers. It reduces the likelihood
of mistaking gasoline for kerosene.

* Place heater so it will not be knocked over or trap you in
case of fire.

* Use 1-K kerosene because grades other than 1-K contain
much more sulfur and will increase sulfur dioxide
emissions, posing a possible health problem. If you buy
kerosene from a gasoline station make sure you and/or the
attendant are using the kerosene pump, not the gasoline
pump.

* Never fill the heater while it is operating. Always refuel
the heater outdoors to prevent spillage on floors and rugs
which could later result in fire ignition.

* Keep the room in which the heater operates ventilated
(e.g. door open or the window ajar). This will prevent an
indoor air pollution problem and minimize health problems.
Kerosene heaters are not usually vented.

* Keep flammable liquids and fabrics away from an open
flame.

* Never try to move the heater or try to smother the flames
with a rug or a blanket if a flare-up occurs. Activate the
manual shut-off switch and call the fire department.
Moving the heater may increase the height of the flames
and cause leakage resulting in personal injury.



Gas-Fired Space Heaters


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

Yes No

1. Only vented heaters are installed or
used in sleeping quarters. _____ _____

2. Vented heaters are properly vented to
the outside. _____ _____

3. The unvented gas-fired room heater has
a warning label and instructions that
are followed. _____ _____

4. The unvented gas-fired room heater has
a label stating it has a "pilot safety
system" which turns off the gas if not
enough fresh air is available. _____ _____

5. The vented heater has a label stating
that is equipped with a vent safety
shutoff system. _____ _____

6. If the heater uses liquified petroleum
(LP) gas, the container is located
outside the house. _____ _____

7. The manufacturer's instructions for
lighting the pilot are followed. _____ _____

8. Matches are lighted before turning on
the gas if pilot lighting is required. _____ _____

9. Flammable materials and liquids are
kept away from gas heating appliances. _____ _____


Recommendations:


* Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding where and
how to use gas space heaters. Unvented heaters should not
be used in small enclosed areas, especially bedrooms
because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

* Do not use a propane heater (LP) which has a gas cylinder
stored in the body of the heater. Its use is prohibited in
most states and localities in the United States.



* Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the
pilot. Gas vapors may accumulate and ignite explosively,
burning your hand or face.

* Light matches, if needed for lighting the pilot, before
turning on the gas to prevent gas buildup.

* Do not operate a vented style heater unvented. It could
allow combustion products, including carbon monoxide, to
reach dangerous levels which will result in illness and
death.



Portable Electric Heaters


The Commission estimates that half the deaths and
one-third of the injuries resulting from electric heater fires
occurred at night when family members were asleep and the
heater unattended. The Commission is also concerned about the
use of power or extension cords which can be too small to
supply the amount of current required by the typical portable
electric heater.

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

Yes No

1. The heater is operated at least three
feet away from upholstered furniture,
drapes, bedding and other combustible
materials. _____ _____

2. The extension cord (if used) is
marked #14 or #12 American Wire Gauge
(AWG). _____ _____

3. The heater is used on the floor. _____ _____

4. The heater is turned off when family
members leave the house or are
sleeping.