Fire Safety Checklist

The Burn Institute of San Diego encourages individuals to regularly survey their homes for possible fire dangers. Here are some of the points they recommend you check:

* Are matches and lighters out of children’s reach?

* Are there one or more smoke detectors placed properly throughout the house, especially by the bedrooms? Are they in good working order and tested monthly?

* Are portable space heaters kept away from curtains, furniture and normal traffic patterns? (Portable kerosene heaters are prohibited for home use in California.) Has all heating equipment been checked and cleaned this year?

* Are there adequate outlets to avoid the need for multiple attachment plugs and long extension cords?

* Do you have a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying?

* Do you have the proper sized fuses or circuit breakers for your household?

* Is your garage free from rubbish, oil rags, flammable liquids, large stacks of paper, and kept in an orderly manner?

* Are all paint, varnish and other flammable liquids stored in tightly closed metal containers and placed away from all heat and ignition sources?

* Do you have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen near the exit? Do you know how to use it?

* Is all large native shrubbery cut back 30 to 100 feet from your home?

* Do you have a family escape plan drawn up? Suggestion: Practice your plan and test smoke detectors at the same time.

* Do you use your barbecue grill at least 10 feet away from your house? (Never use gasoline or apply lighter fluid to recently lit coals.)