The United States has one of the highest fire death and
injury rates in the world. Fire--in the form of flames and smoke--is the second
leading cause of accidental death in the home.
More than 4,000 people die each year in home fires. Every year, there are more
than 500,000 residential fires serious enough to be reported to fire
departments. More than 90 percent of residential fire deaths and injuries result
from fires in one and two family houses and apartments. Property losses exceed 4
billion dollars annually, and the long term emotional damage to victims and
their loved ones is incalculable.
Use this checklist as a safety guide to spot possible fire safety problems which
may be present in your home. It is a first step in reducing the risk of fire.
Check YES or NO to answer each question. If you check NO to any question, the
potential hazard should be corrected to avoid the risk of injury or death.
How safe is your home from fire?
SOURCES OF FIRE
Supplemental Home Heating Equipment
The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves,
kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters, has decreased, along
with the number of residential fires.
Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental
heaters, it is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still
occur annually with the use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all
residential fires. These fires kill more than 600 people. Annually there are
thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of carbon monoxide poisonings.
Wood Stoves
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety
statements.
1. The wood stove or fireplace has been
installed according to existing building
codes and manufacturer's
instructions.
2. The chimney and stovepipe are checked
frequently during the heating season
for creosote buildup and are cleaned
when
necessary.
3. The stove sits on a non-combustible or on
a code-specified or listed floor protector.
4. Combustibles such as curtains,
chairs,
firewood, etc., are at least three feet
away from the
stove.
5. Only proper fuel is used in the
stove.
6. A metal container with a tight-fitting lid
is used for ash
removal.
- Do not use wood burning stoves and fireplaces unless they are properly installed and meet building codes.
- Follow the label instructions on the stove which recommends an inspection twice monthly. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep. Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood burning stoves. Creosote builds up in chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. To cut down on creosote buildup, avoid smoldering fires.
- Use a code-specified or listed floor protector. It should extend 18 inches beyond the stove on all sides. This will reduce the possibility of the floor being ignited.
- Follow the instructions on the stove label for proper location of the stove from combustible walls.
- Never burn trash in a stove because this could over heat the stove. Gasoline and other flammable liquids should never be used to start wood stove fires. Gasoline will ignite and explode. Use coal only if designated as appropriate by the manufacturer.
Kerosene Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only 1-K kerosene is used and it is bought from a dealer who can certify
that the product is 1-K kerosene.
2. The heater is placed out of the path of traffic areas such as doorways and
hallways.
3. Kerosene is stored outdoors, and out of the reach of children in a tightly
sealed, preferably blue plastic or metal container, labeled "kerosene."
4. No attempt is to be made to move the heater if flare-up (flames outside the
heater cabinet) occurs. The fire department is called immediately.
5. The heater is used in well-ventilated rooms.
6. The heater is turned off while sleeping and is never left operating unattended.
7. The heater is placed at least three feet away from anything that might catch fire
such as clothing, furniture, curtains, etc.
Recommendations:
- Check with your local fire marshal regarding local and state codes and regulations for using a kerosene heater.
- NEVER USE GASOLINE. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire.
- Use properly labeled containers. It reduces the likelihood of mistaking gasoline for kerosene.
- Place heater so it will not be knocked over or trap you in case of fire.
- Use 1-K kerosene because grades other than 1-K contain much more sulfur and will increase sulfur dioxide emissions, posing a possible health problem. If you buy kerosene from a gasoline station make sure you and/or the attendant are using the kerosene pump, not the gasoline pump.
- Never fill the heater while it is operating. Always refuel the heater outdoors to prevent spillage on floors and rugs which could later result in fire ignition.
- Keep the room in which the heater operates ventilated (e.g. door open or the window ajar). This will prevent an indoor air pollution problem and minimize health problems. Kerosene heaters are not usually vented.
- Keep flammable liquids and fabrics away from an open flame.
- Never try to move the heater or try to smother the flames with a rug or a blanket if a flare up occurs. Activate the manual shut-off switch and call the fire department. Moving the heater may increase the height of the flames and cause leakage resulting in personal injury.
Gas-Fired Space Heaters
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety statements.
1. Only vented heaters are installed or used in sleeping quarters.
2. Vented heaters are properly vented to the outside.
3. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a warning label and instructions that are followed.
4. The unvented gas-fired room heater has a label stating it has a "pilot safety
system" which turns off the gas if not enough fresh air is available.
5. The vented heater has a label stating that it is equipped with a vent safety shutoff
system.
6. If the heater uses liquified petroleum (LP) gas, the container is located outside
the house.
7. The manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot are followed.
8. Matches are lighted before turning on the gas if pilot lighting is required.
9. Flammable materials and liquids are kept away from gas heating appliances.
Recommendations
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding where and how to use gas
space heaters. Unvented heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas,
especially bedrooms because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not use a propane heater (LP) which has a gas cylinder stored in the body
of the heater. Its use is prohibited in most states and localities in the United
States.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot. Gas vapors may
accumulate and ignite explosively, burning your hand or face.
- Light matches, if needed for lighting, the pilot, before turning on the gas to
prevent gas buildup.
- Do not operate a vented style heater unvented. It could allow combustion
products, including carbon monoxide, to reach dangerous levels which will result
in illness and death.
Portable Electric Heaters
The Commission estimates that half the deaths and one-third of the injuries
resulting from electric heater fires occurred at night when family members are
asleep and the heater unattended. The Commission is also concerned about the use
of power or extension cords which can be too small to supply the amount of
current required by the typical portable electric heater.
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety
statements.
1. The heater is operated at least three feet away from upholstered
furniture, drapes, bedding and other combustible
materials.
2. The extension cord (if used) is marked #14 or #12 American Wire
Gauge
3. The heater is used on the
floor.
4. The heater is turned off when family members leave the house or
are sleeping.
- Operate heater away from combustible materials. Do not place heaters where towels or the like could fall on the appliance and trigger a fire.
- Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary. If you must use an extension cord with your electric heater, make sure it is marked with a power rating at least as high as that of the heater itself. Keep the cord stretched out. Do not permit the cord to become buried under carpeting or rugs. Do not place anything on top of the cord.
- Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the like. Never use heaters to dry wearing apparel or shoes.
Cooking Equipment
Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more than 100,000 fires annually, and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000 injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about 30,000 fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.
Recommendations:
- Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels and other non-cooking equipment on or near the range because these items can be ignited.
- Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic bands while cooking. Do not reach across a range while cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans and cause scalds.
- Do not place candy or cookies over top of ranges. This will reduce the attraction kids may have for climbing on cooking equipment, thus reducing the possibility of their clothing catching fire.
- Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is required above the "keep warm" setting.
Cigarette Lighters and Matches
Each year more than 200 deaths are associated with fires started by cigarette lighters. About two thirds of these result from children playing with lighters. Most of the victims are under five years old.
Recommendations:
- Keep lighters and matches out of sight and out of the reach of children. Children as young as two years old are capable of lighting cigarette lighters and matches.
- Never encourage or allow a child to play with a lighter or to think of it as a toy. Do not use it as a source of amusement for a child. Once their curiosity is aroused, children may seek out a lighter and try to light it.
- Always check to see that cigarettes are extinguished before emptying ashtrays. Stubs that are still burning can ignite trash.
MATERIALS THAT BURN
Your home is filled with materials and products that will burn if ignited.
Upholstered furniture, clothing, drapery fabrics, and liquids such as gasoline
and volatile solvents are involved in many injury-causing fires each year. Most
of these fires could be prevented.
Upholstered Furniture
In 1989, there were 18,600 residential fires associated with upholstered
furniture; about 900 people lost their lives. About one half of these fires were
caused by smoking materials. Property losses amounted to over $100 million from
fires started by cigarette ignition of upholstered furniture.
Recommendations:
- Look for furniture designed to reduce the likelihood of furniture fire from
cigarettes. Much of the furniture manufactured today has significantly greater
resistance to ignition by cigarettes than upholstered furniture manufactured 10
to 15 years ago. This is particularly true of furniture manufactured to comply
with the requirements of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council's (UFAC)
Voluntary Action Program. Such upholstered furniture may be identified by the
gold colored tag on the furniture item. The legend on the front of the tag in
red letters states -- "Important Consumer Safety Information from UFAC."
- Always check the furniture where smokers have been sitting for improperly
discarded smoking materials. Ashes and lighted cigarettes can fall unnoticed
behind or between cushions or under furniture.
- Do not place or leave ashtrays on the arms of chairs.
- Look for fabrics made predominantly from thermoplastic fibers (nylon,
polyester, acrylic, olefin) because they resist ignition by burning cigarettes
better than cellulosic fabrics (rayon or cotton). In general, the higher the
thermoplastic content, the greater the resistance to cigarette ignition.
Mattresses and Bedding
Smoldering fires in mattresses and bedding materials caused by cigarettes are a
major cause of deaths in residential fires. In 1989, over 35,000
mattress/bedding fires caused about 700 deaths.
You should be able to respond "yes" to the following safety
statements.
Recommendations:
- DO NOT smoke in bed. Smoking in bed is a major cause of accidental fire deaths
in homes.
- Locate heaters or other fire sources three feet from the bed to prevent the
bed catching on fire.
- Consider replacing your old mattress with a new one if you are a smoker.
Mattresses manufactured since 1973 are required to resist cigarette ignition.
Wearing Apparel
Most fibers used in clothing can burn, some more quickly than others. A
significant number of clothing fires occur in the over 65 age roup principally
from nightwear (robes, pajamas, nightgowns). In 1989 about 200 clothing fire
deaths were reported; about three fourths occurred in the 65 and older age
group. The severity of apparel burns is high. Hospital stays average over one
month.
Small open flames, including matches, cigarette lighters, and candles are the
major sources of clothing ignition. These are followed by ranges, open fires and
space heaters. The most commonly worn garments that are associated with clothing
ignition injuries are pajamas, nightgowns, robes, shirts/blouses, pants/slacks
and dresses.
Recommendations:
- Consider fabrics such as 100% polyester, nylon, wool and silk that are
difficult to ignite and tend to self extinguish.
- Consider the flammability of certain fabrics containing cotton,
cotton/polyester blends, rayon, and acrylic. These are relatively easy to ignite
and burn rapidly.
- Look at fabric construction. It also affects ignitability. Tight weaves or
knits and fabrics without a fuzzy or napped surface are less likely to ignite
and burn rapidly than open knits or weaves, or fabrics with brushed or piled
surfaces.
- Consider purchasing garments that can be removed without having to pull them
over the head. Clothes that are easily removed can help prevent serious burns.
If a garment can be quickly stripped off when it catches fire, injury will be
far less severe or avoided altogether.
- Follow manufacturer's care and cleaning instructions on products labeled
"flame resistant" to ensure that their flame resistant properties are
maintained.
Flammable Liquids
One of the major causes of household fires is flammable liquids. These include
gasoline, acetone, benzene, lacquer thinner, alcohol, turpentine, contact
cements, paint thinner, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid. The most dangerous
of all is gasoline.
Recommendation:
- Take extra precautions in storing and using flammable liquids, such as
gasoline, paint thinners, etc. They produce invisible explosive vapors that can
ignite by a small spark at considerable distances from the flammable substance.
Store outside the house.
EARLY WARNING AND ESCAPE
Even when you have complied with every item in this Home Fire Safety Checklist,
you still need to have a plan for early warning and escape in case a fire does
occur.
Many fire deaths and fire injuries are actually caused by smoke and gases.
Victims inhale smoke and poisonous gases that rise ahead of the flames. Survival
depends on being warned as early as possible and having an escape plan.
Recommendations:
- Purchase a smoke detector if you do not have one. Smoke detectors are
inexpensive and are required by law in many localities. Check local codes and
regulations before you buy your smoke detector because some codes require
specific types of detectors. They provide an early warning which is critical
because the longer the delay, the deadlier the consequences.
- Read the instructions that come with the detector for advice on the best place
to install it. As a minimum detectors should be located near bedrooms and one on
every floor.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper maintenance. Smoke detectors
can save lives, but only if properly installed and maintained.
- Never disconnect a detector. Consider relocating the detector rather than
disconnecting it if it is subject to nuisance alarms, e.g. from cooking.
- Replace the battery annually, or when a "chirping" sound is heard.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning your detector. Excessive
dust, grease or other material in the detector may cause it to operate
abnormally. Vacuum the grill work of your detector.
Escape Plan
Planning ahead, rehearsing, thinking, and acting clearly are keys to surviving a
fire. How prepared are you?
Recommendations:
- Establish advanced family planning for escape. It is an important partner with
smoke detectors and it will prepare you for a fire emergency.
- Include small children as a part of the discussion and rehearsal. It is
especially important to make sure they understand that they must escape; they
can't hide from fire under a bed or in a closet.
Your life and that of your family can be saved by foresight, planning,
discussing and rehearsal.
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