Home Fire Safety Checklist

By Sarah Stasik

July 07, 2025

A house fire can start in seconds and spread even faster, but a few simple precautions can go a long way toward protecting your home and family. Fire safety has a lot to do with preventive measures and thinking ahead of the flame and not as much to do with emergency reactions. While no one expects or wants a home fire, everyone in your house should know exactly what to do well before the initial spark.

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If you lose any sleep at night over the chance of a home fire, creating a home safety checklist can help you feel more prepared. Get started below by learning how to reduce fire risks, what equipment you need in your home and how to create a fire safety plan with your family.

What Are the Basics of Home Fire Safety?

Fire safety at home starts with prevention and preparation. Here are three foundational steps every household should take.

Reduce Fire Risks

Preventing fires is the first step in home fire safety. Be mindful of high-risk areas like kitchens, laundry rooms and anywhere space heaters or extension cords are used. Regularly inspect your home for:

Overloaded outlets or frayed cords
Clutter near heat sources, including stoves and furnaces
Unattended candles or flammable items near open flames
Lint buildup in dryer vents

Practice safe habits, such as attending to cooking food and storing combustible items properly, to lower your risk of a house fire.

Fire Safety Equipment to Keep in the Home

A well-equipped home is generally a safer home. Make sure you have:

Smoke detectors on every level and inside sleeping areas
Carbon monoxide alarms, especially near sleeping areas
Fire extinguishers in the kitchen and on each floor
A fire blanket in kitchens or workshops
Flashlights and extra batteries to reduce candle use during power outages

If you have the option when building or renovating a home, consider installing fire-resistant building materials or a home fire sprinkler system to increase home fire safety.

Have and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

A clear, practiced plan helps everyone act quickly and safely. Your fire escape plan should include:

Two exits from each room (usually a door and a window)
A designated meeting spot outside the home
Emergency fire drills at least twice a year
Teaching kids how to check doors for heat and stay low in smoke

Don't just practice fire drills at preplanned and convenient daytime hours. Have drills at night when everyone is asleep to practice getting out of bed quickly and leaving the house safely.

You can also use fire drills to practice other fire safety, such as how to use a fire extinguisher. These drills help ensure that everyone understands fire extinguisher placement in the house and people can get to these tools quickly.

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What Tools and Tasks Should Be on a Home Fire Safety Checklist?

Keep this checklist on hand and review it regularly to help support optimal home fire safety.

Fire Safety Tools to Keep in the House

Working smoke detectors (test monthly, replace batteries twice a year)
Carbon monoxide alarms (perform carbon monoxide alarm testing twice yearly)
ABC-rated fire extinguishers (kitchen, garage and each level of the home)
Fire blankets
Flashlights and spare batteries
Escape ladders for multi-story homes
Emergency contact list (posted in a visible area)

Fire Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Check electrical cords and outlets for damage.
Clean dryer lint traps and vents.
Keep cooking areas free of clutter, and stay nearby when cooking.
Store flammable items away from heat sources.
Schedule annual inspections for fireplaces, chimneys and heating systems.

Family Safety Planning Measures

Create and practice a fire escape plan.
Ensure everyone knows two exits per room.
Teach children how to dial emergency services.
Practice using fire extinguishers.
Choose and practice meeting at a safe location outside.
Hold emergency fire drills at least twice per year.

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