WHERE THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S SCIENCE CHECKLIST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Kids: Ask a grown-up to help with this at home.

By taking the time to do a fire safety inspection and correcting any problems you discover, you'll reduce your family's risk of being harmed in a home fire. Take about 20 minutes to inspect your home. As you go from room to room, circle the answers to the questions listed below. Give yourself a point for each question that received a "yes" answer. When you're done, add up the points to find out your score. Then take steps to improve those areas that need it.

Hunt for Home Hazards

Yes	No	Does a grown-up always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove?
Yes	No	Are cooking areas free of materials that could catch fire?
Yes	No	Are pot handles turned towards the back of the stove?
Yes	No	Is there a "kids-free" zone of 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove when grown-ups are cooking?
Yes	No	Are portable space heaters always turned off when grown-ups leave the room or go to sleep?
Yes	No	Has your family's heating equipment (chimneys, fireplaces, woodstoves, or furnaces) been inspected by a professional this year?
Yes	No	Are candles always blown out when grown-ups leave the room or go to bed?
Yes	No	Are candles in candleholders that can't tip over easily and are big enough to catch dripping wax safely?
Yes	No	Are matches and lighters kept in a locked cabinet, out of children's sight and reach?
Yes	No	Are electrical cords in good condition, without cracks or frayed areas?
Yes	No	Are flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, or propane stored in safe containers. Are they stored outside the home in a properly ventilated shed or garage?
Yes	No	If there are smokers in your home, do they douse all butts and ashes with water before throwing them away?

Sound the Alarm, Installing and Testing Smoke Alarms

Yes	No	Does your home have a working smoke alarm on every floor including the basement and outside every sleeping area?
Yes	No	Are the batteries working in every smoke alarm? (Have a grown-up press the "test" button to find out.)
Yes	No	Do you have any smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old? If so, replace them.
Yes	No	Does everyone in your home know the sound of the smoke alarm and know exactly what to do if he or she hears it?

Do the Drill: Practicing Home Fire Escape Plans

Yes	No	Does your family have a home fire escape plan that includes two exits (usually a door and a window) out of each room?
Yes	No	Are exits in you home kept free of toys, furniture, and clutter?
Yes	No	If there are infants or other family members with limited mobility, has someone been assigned to assist them in the event of a fire?
Yes	No	Does your family practice the escape plan twice a year? (If not, practice it tonight!)
Yes	No	Has your family picked a safe place to meet outside after you exit the home?
Yes	No	Does everyone in your family know the fire department's emergency number to call once you're safely outside?
Yes	No	Is your house's street number clearly visible from the street?

Is your home fire-safe?

• If you answered "yes" to all of the checklist questions above, congratulations! You and your family are doing a great job.
• If you answered "yes" to 20 or more questions, you're on your way. Make sure to correct any problems.
• If you answered "yes" to 15 or more questions, you've got some work to do! Work together to correct the problems then take the test again.
• If you answered "yes" to fewer than 15 questions, it's definitely time to make some changes. Make sure your family takes the steps needed to turn every "no" into a "yes". Remember, passing this test could save your life in the event of a home fire.

Download a pdf version for printing: Where There's Smoke There's Science Safety Checklist