The answer may surprise you.
Fire hazards may be lurking in your home where you least expect them. Take a few minutes to inspect your home for fire hazards. As you go from room to room, circle your responses to the questions below.
Cooking Safety
Yes
No
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Does an adult always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove?
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Yes
No
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Are stove tops and nearby counters clear and uncluttered?
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Yes
No
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Are there pot holders within easy reach of the stove?
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Yes
No
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Are curtains, utensils, paper towels and other things that can burn well away from the stove?
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Yes
No
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Is there a “kid-free” zone of one metre around the stove when adults are cooking?
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Heating Safety
Yes
No
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If space heaters are used in your home, are they at least one metre away from things that can burn, including curtains, furniture, pets?
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Yes
No
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Does your fireplace have a sturdy screen to catch sparks?
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Yes
No
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Are portable space heaters always turned off when adults leave the room or go to sleep?
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Yes
No
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Has your chimney been inspected and cleaned during the past year?
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Yes
No
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Has your furnace been serviced by a professional in the past year?
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Yes
No
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Are propane tanks, gasoline, or other fuels stored safely outside your home?
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Candle Safety
Yes
No
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Are candles placed in sturdy holders, out of reach of children and pets so they can't be knocked over?
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Yes
No
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Do you cover lit candles with glass chimneys, to prevent people or objects from brushing against the flame?
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Yes
No
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Do you always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed?
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Matches and Lighters
Yes
No
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Are matches and lighters stored out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet?
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Yes
No
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If you smoke, do you have just one lighter or book of matches and keep it with you at all times?
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Electrical Safety
Yes
No
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Are extension cords used safely? (Are they not under carpets or across doorways?)
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Yes
No
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Are electrical cords in good condition, without cracks or frayed areas?
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Yes
No
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Are kitchen appliances - such as the kettle, coffee-maker, toaster oven and microwave, plugged into separate outlets?
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Home Fire Escape Planning
Yes
No
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Are all of the exits in your home clear of furniture, toys and clutter?
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Yes
No
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Do you have a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room (if possible)?
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Yes
No
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Have you picked a safe place outside where everyone will meet after exiting the home?
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Yes
No
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Have you practiced a home fire drill with everyone in your household?
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Smore Alarms
Yes
No
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Does your home have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas?
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Yes
No
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Are the batteries working in all your smoke alarms? (Test the battery by pushing the test button. If there is no button, press the centre of the cover.)
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Yes
No
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Do you have a designated person to test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least once per year?
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What's your score?
Add up the number of "yes" responses in your checklist. Give yourself a point for every "yes" response.
Your Score:___________
If you answered "yes" to all of the 27 checklist questions above, congratulations! You are a fire safety expert!
If you answered "yes" to at least 20 questions, you're well on your way to a fire safe home.
If you answered "yes" to between 15 and 20 questions, you're on the right track but there's still some work to be done.
If you answered "yes" to fewer than 15 questions, there are some important changes that need to be made around your home to make sure everyone in your home is safe from fire.
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Office of the Fire Marshal © 2004
