Fire kills 4,000 and injures 20,000 Americans each year, and U.S. fire departments respond to 1.5 million home fires each year … according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
We don’t want you to be one of these statistics!
You should have working smoke alarms in each bedroom and on each floor of your home to alert your family if a fire should occur. But here are some steps you can take to protect your home and prevent a fire from starting in the first place …
Home Fire Safety Checklist:
Check electrical appliances for loose or frayed cords. Do not place wires under rugs.
Check for outlets overloaded with plugs; including TVs, game consoles, computers, and printers.
Install GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets in your home; especially near water in your bathroom, kitchen and laundry room.
Check that the bulbs in your home light fixtures are the correct wattage.
If any appliances spark, smell unusual, or overheat, replace them or get them repaired by a professional.
Check that lamps and nightlights are not touching any fabrics (bedspreads, drapes).
Be sure that electrical blankets are unplugged when not in use. Check for frayed or loose cords and any odd smell. If you detect a problem, replace the blanket immediately.
Supervise children around the stove and microwave.
Candles should be out of reach of children and pets, and away from curtains and furniture. Never leave candles unattended.
Get an annual inspection of your furnace or heating system.
(This checklist is from the National Safety Council. View, download, and print the complete document at http://www.nsc.org/safety_home/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Documents/HomeFireSafetyChecklist.pdf)