Free Home Fire Safety Inspection

Many fire departments in California will provide upon request free Home Fire Safety Inspections. The firefighters will check your home and offer fire safety tips and suggestions to safe guard your family from the threat of fire. The fire safety inspection typically lasts less than an hour and is conducted by your neighborhood fire station. An adult must be present during the inspection. A copy of the inspection findings will be given to the resident along with suggestions. A follow-up appointment may also be requested.

Home Fire Safety Inspection may include but not be limited to the following:

General Fire Safety
Install a smoke detector on each floor of the home
Install smoke detectors outside each bedroom area and inside every bedroom. Test smoke detectors twice per year
Install a carbon monoxide detector in the home if you have gas appliances or a fire place
Install a Class ABC fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage
Create a fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family
Select a meeting location outside the home for all family members to gather after leaving the home during a fire
Teach family members how to get down low and crawl out of the home to safety
Teach children how to Stop-Drop-Roll should their clothing catch on fire
Teach all family members how to dial 911 for emergencies

Exterior Inspection
Make sure house address is visible from street
Trim trees away from electrical power lines
Trim trees away from house, gutters, roof, sheds, fences, etc
Avoid stacking fire wood next to house
Fire pits should be located a safe distance away from home, always use a metal screen cover and the smoke cannot create a nuisance to your neighbors

Heating Equipment
Keep space heaters a minimum of three feet from drapes, beds, clothing and all combustibles
Avoid using fuel supplied space heaters inside the home
Do not use stove/oven to heat home
Replace air/heat filters monthly
Clean lint from clothes dryer after each use
Install a spark screen in front of the fireplace
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually
Inspect the spark arrestor on the chimney top
Build small fires in the fireplace using commercially purchased logs or well-seasoned hard woods
Dispose of fireplace ashes in a metal container
Unplug hair dryer, hair straighter, curling iron, etc after use

Electrical
Avoid overloading outlets
Avoid using extension cords in place of permanent wiring
Use UL approved power strips with a circuit breaker
Do not run power cords under rugs or carpet
Maintain air space around electrical equipment such as television, stereo equipment, etc
Breakers that trip often indicate an electrical problem occurring and a qualified electrician should be notified
Use a qualified electrician to install or repair electrical appliances, fans, lights, etc

Cooking
Never leave cooking unattended
Turn pot handles away from stove edge to avoid hot liquid burns
Use proper temperature and cooking time specified for recipe
Keep combustibles away from top of stove
Turn off valve on gas BBQ tank after grilling
Use BBQ grills outdoors away from home

Garage
Allow lawn mower to cool down before storing in garage
Keep combustibles away from gas water heater
Store flammables in approved containers
Carefully store hazardous materials including flammables, lawn chemicals, pool supplies, cleaning products, automotive products, etc. separate from each other
Assure all chemical products are stored in original containers with label intact
Dispose of out of date chemicals by disposing at selected hazardous waste locations

Candles & Flame
Avoid leaving candles unattended
Place candles in sturdy holders with a protective globe
Never leave the home with candles still burning
Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children

Advertisement