Home Hazards Safety Checklist

We know your home is your castle and we want you to be as safe a possible. Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue offers free home safety surveys. Call 360.447.3603 to request a visit. We'll be happy to take a walk through your home with you to help you identify and correct potential fire and injury hazards. We believe many of the injuries that occur in homes result from hazards that are easily corrected. During our visit, we'll also test your smoke alarms and assist you in developing a fire escape plan specific to your family and home.

We know that not everyone is interested in inviting us into your home. If you would prefer to take a look around your home on your own, the following checklist may be helpful in spotting potential hazards.

Home Safety

1.	Are there smoke alarms on every level of your home?		Yes	No
	There should be at least one smoke alarm on every story of your home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.
2.	Are all smoke alarms properly located?		Yes	No
	•  Ceiling mounted alarms should be placed at least four inches from any wall. •  If a room has a pitched roof, mount the smoke alarm near the ceiling's highest point, 4" to 12" away from the wall. If the room has an A-frame ceiling, mount the unit at least 4" to 12" from the peak. •  Wall-mounted smoke alarms should be installed so that the top of the alarm is not less than 4" and not more than 12" from the ceiling. •  When installing a smoke alarm in a stairway, position the alarm in the path the smoke would follow up the stairwell. •  Install basement smoke alarms close to the bottom of the stairs. Do not install an alarm at the top of the basement stairs as dead air trapped near the closed door could prevent smoke from reaching the alarm. •  Avoid placing smoke alarms in areas that might trigger nuisance alarms. Avoid the following: Dusty areas, bathrooms and steamy spaces, anywhere the temperature drops below 40°F, kitchens, garages, attics, recessed ceiling areas, furnace vents, spaces near fluorescent lights, ceiling fans. Place smoke alarms at least 3 feet from kitchen and bathroom doors.
3.	Is there an accessible, maintained fire extinguisher in your home?		Yes	No
	•  There should be at least one ABC rated extinguisher easily accessible and mounted in your home.
4.	Do you have a planned and practiced emergency escape plan?		Yes	No
	•  Have one, pre-arranged meeting place outside your home. Be sure everyone in the home knows where the meeting place is. Know two ways out of every room. Practice your escape plan regularly, especially at night so that in the event of an emergency, everyone knows how to respond when being awaken.
5.	Do you have an emergency contact phone number outside Washington established for your family?		Yes	No
	•  In the event of a major disaster, such as an earthquake, local phone lines may not work. It is important to establish a single point of contact outside of the state who everyone in the family knows to call.
Electrical
1.	Are lamps, extension cords and phone cords place out of the flow of traffic?		Yes	No
	•  Cords stretched across walkways present trip hazards. Arrange furniture so that outlets are accessible for lamps and appliances without use of extension cords.
2.	Are cords out from under the furniture, rugs or carpets?		Yes	No
	•  Furniture sitting on cords may result in damage and create a fire or shock hazard. Cords running under carpeting may result in fire.
3.	Are cords attached to walls appropriately?		Yes	No
	•  Remove nails, staples, and tacks. Check wiring for damages. Use tape to attach cords to walls or floors.
4.	Are cords in good condition?		Yes	No
	•  Damaged, frayed cords may cause a shock or fire. Replace damaged cords.
5.	Are extension cords carrying the proper load?		Yes	No
	•  Overloaded extension cords may result in fires. If the rating on an extension cord or outlet is exceeded, unplug some of the appliances.
6.	Are electrical outlets or switches cool to the touch?		Yes	No
	•  Unusually warm or hot outlets or switches usually indicate an unsafe wiring condition. Unplug cords from outlets. Have a certified electrician check the wiring as soon as possible.
7.	Do all outlets and switches have cover plates that appropriately cover all wiring?		Yes	No
	Add a cover plate to any exposed wiring.
8.	Are light bulbs the appropriate wattage for the type of fixture?		Yes	No
	•  A bulb with too high a wattage may result in overheating or fire. Inspect all light bulbs to ensure the correct strength bulb is being used.
9.	Are heaters and appliances with a 3-prong plug being used in a 3-hole outlet or with a properly attached adapter?		Yes	No
	•  Never negate the grounding feature. The grounding feature provided by a 3-hole receptacle is a Safety feature designed to lessen the risk of shock.
Heating
1.	Are stoves and space heaters placed at least 3 feet from flammable materials and out of walkways?		Yes	No
	•  Heaters should be a least 3 feet from curtains, rugs, furniture, papers, bedding, etc. Relocate heaters out of passageways and away from combustibles.
2.	Are space heaters such as kerosene heaters, gas heaters, or liquid petroleum installed and vented properly?		Yes	No
	•  Unvented heaters should be used with room doors open and windows slightly open to provide ventilation. If vented, the venting system should be checked frequently. Install a carbon monoxide detector.
3.	Is the wood stove installed properly?		Yes	No
	•  Wood burning stoves should be installed by a qualified person according to local building codes. NOTE: Some insurance companies will not cover fire losses if wood stoves are not installed according to local codes.
Kitchen
1.	Are towels, curtains and other flammable items located away from the stove top?		Yes	No
	•  Placing or storing non-cooking equipment such as potholders, dish towels, plastic bags, or plastic utensils on or near the range may result in fires or burns. •  Store flammable and combustible items away from stove tops. •  Remove towels hanging on oven handles.
2.	Do you wear clothing with short sleeves or close fitting sleeves when cooking?		Yes	No
	•  Short sleeves are less likely to catch fire than long, loose sleeves. Roll back long, loose sleeves or fasten them with pins or elastic bands when cooking.
3.	Are kitchen ventilation systems or range exhausts functioning properly and in use when cooking?		Yes	No
	•  Indoor air pollutants may accumulate to unhealthy levels in a kitchen where gas or kerosene-fired appliances are in use. Use ventilation systems or open windows to the clear the air of vapors and smoke.
4.	Are all extension cords and appliance cords located away from the sink and stove top area?		Yes	No
	•  Electrical appliances and power cords can cause shock or electrocution if they come in contact with water. Cords can also be damaged by excess heat.
5.	Is there good lighting in the kitchen, especially over the stove, sink and work areas where food is sliced or cut?		Yes	No
	•  Low lighting and glare can contribute to burns or cuts. You can improve lighting by: •  Opening curtains and blinds (unless this contributes to glare). •  Using the maximum wattage bulb allowed by the fixture. (If you don't know the correct wattage, do not exceed 60 watts.) •  Reduce glare by using frosted bulbs, indirect lighting, shades or globes on light fixtures. •  Installing additional light fixtures, e.g. under cabinet/over countertop lighting.
6.	Is there a step stool which is stable and in good condition handy?		Yes	No
	•  Standing on chairs, boxes or other makeshift items to reach high shelves can result in falls.
Hallways
1.	Are hallways, passageways between rooms and other heavy traffic areas well lit?		Yes	No
	•  Shadowed or poorly lit areas can hide trip hazards
2.	Are exits and hallways kept clear of clutter?		Yes	No
	•  Furniture, boxes, or other items could be an obstruction or trip hazard, especially in the event of an emergency or fire. Remove boxes and clutter!
Bathroom
1.	Are bathtubs and showers equipped with non-skid mats, abrasive strips, or non-slip surfaces?		Yes	No
	•  Wet, soapy tile is especially slippery and may contribute to falls. Apply textured strips or appliqués on the floors of tubs and showers. •  Use non-skid mats in the tub or shower and on the bathroom floor. •  If you are unsteady on your feet, use a stool with non-skid tips as a seat when you shower.
2.	Do bathtubs and showers have a least one grab bar?		Yes	No
	•  Grab bars can help you get in and out of your tub or shower and may prevent falls. Install grab bars, through the tile, to structural supports in the wall.
3.	Is the water temperature 120 degrees F or lower?		Yes	No
	•  Water temperatures above 120 degrees F can cause tap water scalds.
4.	Is a light switch located near the entrance to the bathroom?		Yes	No
	•  A light switch near the door will prevent you from walking through a dark area.
5.	Are small appliances such as hair dryers, razors, curling irons, toothbrushes unplugged when not in use?		Yes	No
	•  Unplug all small appliances when not in use. Never reach into water to retrieve an appliance that has fallen in until after it has been unplugged. Consider installing a ground fault circuit interrupter in your bathroom outlet to protect against electric shock.
6.	Are medicines stored in their original containers and clearly marked?		Yes	No
	•  Medications that are not clearly and properly marked can be easily misused. Taking the wrong medicine, expired medicine, or missing a dosage of medicine you need can be dangerous to your health.
7.	Are bathroom ceiling fans starting-up properly and running smoothly?		Yes	No
	•  Remove fan covers annually and vacuum out dust and lint. Fans that are operating sluggishly and which are ineffective should be replaced.
Bedrooms
1.	Are lamps or light switches within reach of the bed?		Yes	No
	•  Lamps or switches located close to the bed will allow you to get up at night and see where you are going. Rearrange furniture closer to switches or lamps. Install night lights.
2.	Are candles, ash trays, smoking materials or other fire sources located at least three feet from all flammable materials?		Yes	No
	•  Do not smoke in bed! Extinguish candles when leaving a room and when going to sleep.
3.	Are electric blankets being used correctly?		Yes	No
	•  Do not place anything on top of electric blankets, including pets, additional bedspreads or blankets as excessive heat my buildup and start a fire. Keep the electric blanket setting low so as to avoid burns.
4.	Is there a phone close to your bed?		Yes	No
	•  In case of an emergency, it is important to be able to reach the phone without getting out of bed.
Stairs
1.	Are the stairs well lighted?		Yes	No
	•  Stairs should be lighted so that each step, particularly the edges, can be clearly seen. The lighting should not produce glare or shadow along the stairway.
2.	Are light switches located at both the top and bottom of inside stairs?		Yes	No
	•  Even if you are very familiar with the stairs, appropriate lighting is an important factor in preventing falls. If no other light is available, keep a working flashlight in a convenient location a the top and bottom of the stairs. Install night lights in nearby outlets.
3.	Are sturdy handrails fastened securely on both sides of the stairway continuously from top to bottom?		Yes	No
	•  The handrail should provide a comfortable grip and should always be used when going up or down the steps. Repair broken handrails. Tighten loose fixtures.
4.	Do the steps allow for secure footing?		Yes	No
	•  Worn treads or loose carpeting can lead to insecure footing, resulting in slips or falls. Avoid wearing smooth-soled shoes or slips or socks only when using the stairs. Replace worn or loose carpeting.
5.	Can you clearly see the edges of the steps?		Yes	No
	•  Falls may occur if the edges of the steps are blurred or hard to see. Add extra lighting.
6.	Is anything stored on the stairway, even temporarily?		Yes	No
	•   People can trip over objects left on stairs or at the top of stairs. Remove all objects from stairway.

Adapted from King County Cooperative Extension, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Puget Sound Power and Light Company

View Printable Page