Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Emergency Preparedness Fact Sheet: Finding Hazards in the Home

During and right after a disaster, any household item that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard. At least once each year, inspect your home to find and correct potential hazards.

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS

Check for electrical hazards.

• Replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs and plugs.
• Make sure there is only one plug per outlet. Avoid using cube-taps or overloading outlets. If you must use an extension cord, use a cord that's rated for the electrical load and no longer really needed.
• Remove electrical cords that run under rugs or over nails, heaters, or pipes.
• Cover exposed outlets and wiring.
• Repair or replace appliances that overheat, short out, smoke or spark.

Check for chemical hazards.

• Store flammable liquids such as gasoline, acetone, benzene, and lacquer thinner in approved safety cans, away from the home. Place containers in a well-ventilated area and close the lids tightly. Secure the containers to prevent spills.
• If flammable materials must be stored in the home, use a storage can with an Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mututal (FM) approved label. Move materials away from heat sources,open flames, gas appliances, and children.
• Keep combustible liquids such as paint thinner, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, and turpentine away from heat sources.
• Store oily waste and polishing rags in covered metal cans.
• Instruct family members not to use gasoline, benzene, or other flammable fluids for starting fires or cleaning indoors.

Check for fire hazards.

• Clear out old rags, papers, mattresses, broken furniture and other combustible materials.
• Move clothes, curtains, rags, and paper goods away from electrical equipment, gas appliances or flammable materials.
• Remove dried grass cuttings, tree trimmings and weeds from the property.
• Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.
• Keep heaters and candles away from curtains and furniture.
• Place portable heaters on a level surface, away from high traffic areas. (Purchase portable heaters that are equipped with automatic shut-off switches and avoid the use of extension cords.)

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Check fire safety equipment.

• Install at least one smoke detector on each level of the home, especially near the bedrooms. Test every month and change batteries at least once a year.
• Keep at lest one fire extinguisher (A-B-C type). Maintain and recharge according to manufacturer's instructions. Show all family members where it's kept and how to use it.

SECURE ITEMS

Check items that can shift or fall.

• Anchor water heater, large appliances, bookcases, other tall or heavy furniture, shelves, mirrors, and pictures to wall studs.
• Fit water hater with a flexible gas supply line.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Install clips, latches, or other locking devices on cabinet doors.
• Provide strong support and flexible connections on gas appliances.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds and places where people sit.
• Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations.

UTILITIES

Check your utilities.

• Locate the main electric fuse or circuit breaker box, water service shut-off, and natural gas main shut-off.
• Contact local utility companies for instructions on how to turn the utilities off. Teach family members when and how to turn off utilities off.
• Clear area around shut-off switches for easy access.

Gas and water

• Attach shut-off wrench or specialty tool to a pipe or other location close by the gas and water shut-off valves.
• Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase visibility.

Home Safety

Plan how to escape. Identify at least two exits from each room. Clear doors, hallways and stairs of obstructions. Conduct emergency drills. Practice day and night time escapes, and pick a safe meeting place outside the home.