As we transition from the winter season into early spring, many of us have ideas of spring projects and spring cleaning. It is important we do what we can in the home to prevent fires. By conducting a Home Safety Inspection in your own home, you can be an active prevention specialist of accidental fires!

The following list covers items that could be the start of a fire in the home. If you need any assistance in conducting a Home Safety Inspection or have questions, please give us a call!

A fire can occur in any part of your home. Use this checklist to make a safety check of your home.

Smoking Habits:

c Are all matches and lighters kept out of children's reach?

c Is "NO SMOKING IN BED" a rule of the house?

c Is your family aware that ash trays should NEVER be emptied into waste

baskets?

c Are there plenty of large, safe ash trays throughout the house?
c Do you check for smoldering cigarette butts in the furniture?

Electrical Hazards:

c Are appliances checked periodically for good operating conditions?
c Are you careful not to run extension cords under rugs or over hooks and

nails?

c When using extension cords for appliances, does the gauge of both cords

match in size?

c  Are electrical outlets overloaded?

Housekeeping:

c Do you keep rubbish cleaned out of attics, garages and yards?
c Is paint kept in tightly closed metal containers?
c Are flammable liquids stored in safety cans and kept away from heat and

children?

c Have you made it a rule to NEVER use flammable liquids for cleaning

clothes or starting fires?

c Are oily rags kept in a tightly sealed container?
c Is your clothes dryer vent clean and properly installed?

Heating and Cooking:

c If you have a fireplace, is a screen always placed in front of it?
c Is the filter for your forced air heater changed yearly and the venting

cleaned?

c Are furnaces and wood burning stoves in good repair and located away from

combustible walls and ceilings?

c Do you have the fireplace chimney cleaned and checked periodically?
c Do you make sure combustibles are not stored near the stove, heater or

fireplace?

c Do your children keep a safe distance from flame and heat sources?

Smoke Alarms:
c Have you installed a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area or in every

bedroom and on each floor?

c Do you test your smoke alarm(s) every month?

Fire Escape Plan:

c Does your family have a fire escape plan prepared?
c Is you escape plan posted and regularly practiced?
c Does each bedroom have TWO exits?
c Do you have a meeting place so you will know everyone is outside and

safe?

c Are emergency response numbers posted on all telephones?
c Is your address on or near your telephone?
c Do all family members know how to dial 9-1-1 for fire, police or medical

emergencies?

c Do you show your babysitter/guests your home escape routes and review

9-1-1 with her/him?

c Does your family (and babysitter) know the first rule in fire emergencies:

GET EVERYONE OUT FAST AND DON'T GO BACK INSIDE!

Fire Extinguishers:

c Do you have an UL or FM approved fire extinguisher in your home?
c Do you take it out two times a year and shake it to keep the powder from

packing.

Outside:

c Have all dried grass cuttings, tree trimmings and weeds been removed from your property?

c  Can you see your house number from the street?

509-447-5305

Pend Oreille County Fire District No. 3

325272 Hwy. 2