Accidents, injuries, and fires can occur anywhere in your home when safety guidelines are ignored. Something as simple as a marble left on a stair or spilled water by the bathtub can mean a broken arm or worse.
Use these checklists to make your home a safer place for your family.

Fire Prevention
• Matches and lighters are stored out of the reach of children.
• Matches and cigarettes are completely extinguished.
• Never leave a candle unattended.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Smoke alarms are located on each level of the home and outside each bedroom.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries once a year.
• Fire extinguishers are readily available and family is trained to use them.
• Space heaters are placed in open areas and not left on when the house is vacant.
• Check electric cords and plugs for wear.
• Do not overload outlets.
• Do not run wiring or cords under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas.
• Store flammable liquids in labeled, tightly closed, non-glass containers away from heaters, furnaces, water heaters and other sources of heat. Store out of the reach of children.
• Inspect and clean flue pipes, vent connectors, gas vents and chimneys in the fall.
• Use a fire screen in front of the fireplace.
• Extinguish fireplace fire before going to bed.
• A metal container with a tight fitting lid is used for ash removal.
• Keep the area above the stove free of flammable and combustible items.
• Keep yard clear of leaves, debris and combustible rubbish.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Short or snug fitting sleeves are worn while cooking so they won't catch on fire.
• Kitchen countertop appliances are turned off and unplugged when not in use.
• Turn pot handles on the stove inward so they are not easily hit.
• Set water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to preven scalding.
• Stairs, hallways and exit paths are kept cleared.
• Doors and windows can be easily opened.
• Lint is removed from the dryer filter after each load.
• Make your house number easily visible from the road to aid emergency response teams.

Earthquake
• Keep beds away from windows that may break in the event of an earthquake or falling trees.
• Do not place beds directly under shelves, hanging lights, mirrors, framed pictures that may fall.
• Use light-weight lamps by beds rather than heavy ones that may fall on sleepers.
• Only hang small pots of plants. Keep heavier pots on the floor.
• Move heavy or breakable objects to lowest shelves or put in latched cabinets.
• Use latches rather than magnetic catches on cabinets that contain breakable, valuable items.
• Move breakable items in medicine cabinets to locked child-proof drawers.
• Use plastic bottles instead of glass around the bathtub and kitchen.
• Keep heavy objects away from exit routes so they do not shift and block escape.
• Block wheels on rolling objects such as furniture, stereo, cabinets so they stay put.

Wind
• Remove dead or weak limbs from trees. Trim trees away from the house.
• Have screens and shades on all windows. Lower the shades to help isolate glass when the window breaks.
• Check that all roofing is secure.

General Safety Checks

Stairways, Halls, and Outdoor Steps
• Stairways with three or more steps have a strong handrail.
• Stairways and halls are kept free from boxes, toys, mops, brooms, tools, and other tripping hazards.
• Gates at top and bottom of stairs prevent children from falling.
• The head and foot of stairs have no small or loose rugs.
• Stair carpeting or covering is fastened securely.
• Stairways and halls have adequate lights with switches at each end.

Kitchen
• Knives and sharp instruments are kept in a special knife drawer or holder out of reach of children.
• Use ne can openers that don't leave sharp edges on cans.
• Cleaning products are kept out of reach of children.
• Pan handles are turned away from stove edges.
• Spilled grease, water, or bits of food are wiped up immediately.
• Pot holders are within easy reach.

Bathroom
• Tub and shower are equipped with strong handholds.
• Tub floor has non-slip surface.
• Poisons are clearly marked, sealed shut with tape, and kept out of reach of children.
• All medicines are out of reach of children and stored in child-proof containers.
• Do not take medicine in the dark; lights are turned on and labels read.

Attic and Basement
• Ladder is strong, solid, and sturdily constructed.
• Stairway is sturdy and well lighted.
• Children keep skates and play gear in a specific place.
• Walls and beams are free from protruding nails.
• Fuses or circuit breakers are the proper size.
• Rubbish and flammable materials are kept in covered metal cans until they're disposed of.

Living Room and Dining Room
• Furniture is positioned to allow easy exit.
• Furniture and woodwork is in good repair and free from splinters.
• Fireplace screen fits snugly.
• Rugs are fastened or laid on nonslip pads and kept from curling at their edges.

Bedroom
• Install carbon monoxide detectors and test regularly.
• Furniture is placed to allow clear exit to avoid collisions in the dark.
• Light switch or lamp is within easy reach from bed.
• A night-light illuminates bedroom or hall.
• Bureau and dresser drawers are closed when not in use.
• Bar across bunk beds helps prevent falls.
• Children are taught not to lean against windows or window screens.
• Low-sill windows are sturdily screened to prevent children from falling out.
• Heating devices are turned off at bedtime.

Nursery
• Bars on crib are closely spaced so baby cannot slip head between them.
• Crib is approved by Consumer Products or similar consumer-safety group.
• Crib is free from sharp edges or corners.
• Sleeping garments and covers keep baby warm without danger of smothering or strangling.
• Pillows are kept out of bassinet or crib.
• No thin, plastic material is in or near the crib.
• Children are taught not to give marbles, jacks, or other small toys to younger children.
• Toys are sturdy, do not come apart readily, and have no sharp edges or points.
• Nontoxic paint is used on baby furniture and toys.
• All houseplants are nonpoisonous.

Stoves, Furnaces, and Heaters
• Stoves are located away from windows to avoid setting fire to curtains.
• Gas burners are properly adjusted and free from leaks.
• Water heater and all small room heaters are equipped with vent pipes to carry combustion gases outside the house.
• Water heater has a safety valve and is checked annually.
• Flames of gas burners are protected from drafts.
• An insulating shield protects woodwork within 18 inches of furnace, stove, or heater.
• An appropriate fitting wrench is stored near the shut-off valve of outside gas line.

Porch, Yard, and Garage
• Railings and bannisters are inspected annually.
• Steps and walks are kept free from ice and snow.
• Yard and play space are free from holes, stones, broken glass, and other litter.
• Tools and other dangerous articles are out of reach of children.
• Chemicals such as antifreeze, insecticides, cleaning fluid, and lubricants are kept in the original container in locked storage areas.
• Wires and low fences are brightly painted or marked with cloth strips to make them clearly visible.
• Wells and pits are kept securely covered.
• Disposable materials are not burned outside.
• An area is marked off in the garage for bicycles, wagons, and other small vehicles.

Workshop
• Good ventilation, especially when sanding.
• Safety goggles and face masks are available.
• Baking soda is kept handy to neutralize acid burns.
• All electrical tools are either grounded with three-wire plugs or clearly marked as double-insulated.
• Work area is free of clutter, including lumber scraps and oily rags.
• Lighting over work area is adequate.
• All tools and accessories have a place and are in their place.
• Guards are in place on all power tools.
• A push stick is used with power saws.

Electrical Devices and Fixtures
• Electrical fixtures and appliances are located and used beyond arm's length of the sink, stove, tub, shower, or other grounded metal objects unless outlet is protected by a ground-fault interrupter.
• Do not touch electrical fixtures or appliances with wet hands or while standing on a wet floor.
• Seldom-used electrical appliances are disconnected when not in use.
• All pull-type sockets have an insulating link.
• Household appliances are disconnected before repairs or adjustments are made.
• Unused, open, screw-type sockets are plugged closed.
• Frayed and worn electric cords are promptly replaced.
• Long trailing cords are not in evidence.
• Extension cords are UA-approved and the proper wire size for the load.
• Children are taught never to touch electric sockets or fixtures.
• Fuses are adequate for the load and are not bypassed.
• Circuit breakers are not overloaded.

General
• Strong, rigid stepladder is kept in good repair and available.
• Window screens and storm windows are securely fastened.
• Guns are stored unloaded and in locked cases.
• Guns and ammunition are stored separately.
• Shoes worn for housework have low heels.
• All shoes are in good repair.
• Kerosene, gasoline, paint thinners, and other volatile materials are stored outside in special, clearly marked metal containers.
• Oil mops, dust rags, painting equipment, and other oily materials are stored outside in open metal containers.
• Everyone turns on a light before entering a dark room.

For Emergency
• Know the local emergency numbers.
• Know the location of water, gas, and electric shutoffs.
• Have a first aid kit and supplies replenished as needed.
• Know basic first aid procedures.
• Have a fire escape plan from your home.
• Have emergency water supplies stored in your home.
• Have handheld flashlights readily available for emergency use.
• Have available phone number of local poison control center.