Fire Safety Checklist
Fire Prevention
Classes of Fire
- Ordinary combustibles: paper, cloth upholstery, trash, plastic, wood…
- Flammable liquids, gasses and greases: kerosene, oil, paint, cleaning, fluids, cooking oil…
- Energized electrical components: appliances, wiring…
- Combustible metals: potassium, magnesium…
Fire Prevention Check List
General
- Children warned about the dangers of matches, fire.
- Matches stored in tightly closed metal containers away from children.
- Family members warned never to smoke in bed.
- Used of large and heavy ashtrays that won’t tip over; smoking material disposed of safely.
- Old newspapers, magazines and cloth packed in boxes and stored away from heat. (Should be regularly gone through and, when not needed disposed of.)
- Wastebaskets emptied regularly.
- Rubbish cleaned out regularly and placed in metal trashcans with tight lids. Should be removed from premises at least once a week.
- Candles, fireworks, Christmas lights and decorations handled and stored with care.
- Upholstered furniture and curtains placed away from electrical appliances, stoves, heaters and fireplaces.
Electrical
- Radio, television placed away from wall and properly ventilated; antenna grounded.
- Appliances clean, free from oil, dust, lint (especially clothes dryers).
- Small appliances unplugged after every use, put away only when clod, and kept in good repair.
- Electrical cords and plugs in good condition.
- Outlets and extension cords not overloaded.
- Cords treated gently, never “yanked” out of socket.
- Cords not placed under rugs or over nails.
- Broken plugs replaced.
- Wiring adequate for needs and checked by an electrician if in doubt (blown fuses or frequent tripping of circuit breakers, slow-heating appliances, dimming lights, shrinking television picture are signs of inadequate wiring).
Heaters, Furnace, Fireplace and Chimney
- Furnace in good repair, placed away from walls, partitions, and inspected once a year.
- Flues, pipes clean, with no loose connection properly installed.
- Open fire in fireplace never left unattended and, if necessary, put out before going to bed. Spark screen in from of fireplace.
- Wood burning, gas, kerosene and electrical heaters properly installed, used according to manufacturer’s instructions and inspected every year.
- Ashes from furnace, stove or fire place stored in metal cans, not cartons or boxes or in ash piles.
- Chimney cleaned, free of defects, with no rubbish nearby, inspected once a year.
Greases and Flammable Liquids
- Stove clean and free of grease (check burners, ovens, broilers).
- Care exercised during cooking: cooking never left unattended. No loose sleeves when cooking, pot handles turned inward and out of reach of children, lid kept handy when cooking with oil or grease.
- Cooking grease container stored away from stove.
- Combustible material (cleaning fluids, kerosene, pain and gasoline) stored in labeled capped metal containers or in metal cabinet and kept away from heat.
- Never smoke when using flammable and combustible liquids, including nail polish remover.
Fire Prevention in the Kitchen
Each year in North America, Kitchen fires kill hundreds of people and injure thousands. Most of these fires can be prevented simply by following the basic fire–safety tips listed below.
- Don’t leave cooking unattended
- Keep appliances clean
- BE ALERT!
- Wear close-fitting sleeves
- Keep flammable objects clear of the stove
- Don’t overload electrical outlets
- Use the microwave by its proper usage instructions
- Turn pot handles in
- Heat foods slowly over a moderate heat, never leave oil unattended.
If A Fire Starts
- Smother a grease fire
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Class A- ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, cloth)
- Class B- Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, grease, kerosene)
- Class C- Energized electrical equipment (wiring, fuse boxes, machinery, power cords)
- Learn first aid for burns
- Stop, Drop and Roll- if your body or clothing catch on fire
Fire Safety for Babysitters
- Planning and prevention are the keys to fire safety. Protect yourself and the children you’re watching against fire by taking simple precautions.
Plan Your Escape
- Be familiar with the house. Learn all the exits, and know how to unlock doors and windows. Know tow ways out of each room, especially bedrooms.
- All households should have a meeting place outside where everyone gathers after escaping a fire. Have the adults show you the meeting place, and don’t confuse children with a different plan.
- Discuss the escape plan and meeting place with the children. Make sure every child knows where to meet outside.
- With an adult, complete a copy of the Emergency Information form on the back of this brochure
If you would like further information, please contact the Berthoud Fire Protection District at (970) 532-2264.
