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Do you believe that your home is a safe place to be? Statistics show that most fires, accidents, and injuries occur in the home. An important step in family preparedness is the identification of hazards in your home. Once the hazards are identified, it doesn't take much time or effort to make your home a safer place to live. Getting Started: Using the checklist below, involve the whole family, especially your children, in a home hazard hunt. Remember that anything that can move, break, fall, or bum is a potential hazard. Foresight, imagination, and common sense are the only tools you will need! After identifying what needs to be done, devise a plan to do it. Kitchen Smoking and Matches Yes / No Wear snug-fitting clothes when cooking Yes/No Do not leave cooking food unattended Store matches and lighters out of reach of children Keep pan handles turned in while cooking Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays Keep a pan lid nearby in case of fire Never smoke when drowsy or in bed Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles Dispose of ashes and cigarette butts in a metal can at least daily Keep cords from dangling Check furniture for smoldering cigarettes every night, especially after parties Ensure outlets near the kitchen sink are GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) equipped Keep sharp knives out of reach of children Electricity Outside Yes/No Yes/No Avoid the use of extension cords (If used, ensure the correct wattage rating) Clear dry vegetation and rubbish from around the house Plug only one heat producing device into an electrical outlet Use barbecue grills away from buildings and vegetation Ensure cords are not placed under rugs Dispose of barbecue briquettes in a metal container Verify circuits are not overloaded Maintain a "greenbelt" around rural buildings Replace damaged cords, plugs, sockets Check with the fire department before burning debris or using a burn barrel Use bulbs with the correct wattage for lamps and fixtures Check fuses/circuit breakers for the correct amperage ratings All Rooms Do not override or bypass fuses or circuit breakers Yes/No Ensure floor coverings (rugs, carpets} are properly secured to prevent tripping hazards Clothes Washer and Dryer Separate draw cords on blinds and drapes to reduce strangulation hazards for kids Yes/No Verify that appliances are properly grounded Ensure room exits are unobstructed Ensure lint filter IS clean and serviceable Check vent hose and vent line to ensure they are clean and provide unobstructed airflow ---PAGE BREAK--- Garage/Attic/Shed Fire Extinguisher Yes / No Yes/No Use gasoline as motor fuel only and never use or store it inside the home Verify that an all purpose fire extinguisher (Class ABC) is maintained in an accessible location Keep only a small quantity of gasoline, if necessary, in an approved container locked Ensure that all occupants know how to use it Keep flammable liquids such as paints and thinners in their original containers and store on or near the ground and away from sources of heat, sparks, or flame. Are additional fire extinguishers kept in the kitchen, garage, basement, and sleeping area? Store used oily rags in sealed metal containers Never store combustibles such as newspapers and magazines Smoke Detector Yes/No Heating Equipment Installed properly on every level? Yes/No Tested 1st Tuesday of each month? Ensure fireplace inserts and gas/wood stoves comply with local codes Battery replaced every year? Clean and inspect chimney annually Dispose of ashes in metal container Earthquake Hazards (All Rooms) Keep clothes, furnishings, and electrical cords at least 12” from wall heaters and 36” from portable heaters Yes/No Bolt heavy, tall, upright furniture to wall studs Service furnace annually Lock or remove rollers on beds, furniture and appliances Set water heater thermostat at 120°F Secure hanging plants and light fixtures with one or more guy wires to prevent swinging into walls or windows and breaking Elevate new or replacement gas water heaters at least 18” above the floor Locate beds away from windows and heavy wall-mounted objects Secure kitchen and bathroom cabinets with “positive” (self- closing) latches Bathrooms Secure items on shelves with quake mats, Velcro, low shelf barrier, etc. Yes/No Store heavy and/or breakable items on lower shelves Store poisonous cleaning supplies and medicines in “childproof” cabinets Strap water heater to wall studs Replace glass bottles with plastic containers Use flexible connections on gas appliances Ensure all outlets are GFI equipped Check chimney for loose bricks and repair as needed Check foundation for cracks and repair as needed Family Preparedness Bolt home to foundation to prevent shifting during earthquake Yes/No Secure mirrors and pictures to the wall or hang them with heavy wire, looped through eye screws or tongue-in-grove hangers Plan two unobstructed exits from every room, including the second floor, and make sure everyone knows them Designate a meeting place outside Practice drills are a great way to help your family plan and remember what to do in case of a disaster or emergency. Have an out-of-state contact for family check after a disaster/emergency Develop an escape plan and practice it regularly Store important papers and valuables in a fire proof safe or cabinet Maintain proper insurance coverage for your home and its contents (earthquake, flood, renter’s, fire) ---PAGE BREAK---