Home Fire Hazard Inspections

What we will learn today We will learn how to keep our homes and families safer by conducting home inspections to find the hazards that could cause a fire.

We have already learned: What causes a fire What to do in a fire emergency How to protect ourselves from being burned

We learned that it takes three things to cause a fire: Heat - or something that is hot Fuel - or something that will burn Oxygen - or the air all around us

And when we remove one side of our fire triangle, the fire cannot survive Fuel - or something that will burn Oxygen - or the air all around us

What are some of the most common causes of home fires? –Careless use of smoking materials –Children playing with matches and lighters –Cooking left unattended on the stove –Overloaded electrical outlets –Unattended candles –Any others?

In our homes, if we keep the heat sources away from the fuel sources...

We can prevent a fire from happening.

The best way to prevent a fire is to correct hazards that can cause a fire. –What are some of the hazards you see in this picture and what can we do to correct them?

Think about your bedroom. What are some of the hazards that might exist there? –Extension cords running under clothes, furniture, or rugs –Furniture in front of windows that may be used as a secondary exit –Cluttered closets - stuff piled too close to the light –Burning incense or candles in your bedroom –Lamps or novelty lights left on –Any others?

Does your bedroom have a smoke alarm in it? Do you sleep with your bedroom door open or closed? –Always sleep with your bedroom door closed –Closed doors help to limit the spread of smoke and fire Is your bedroom in the basement? –Do you have a window in your room for escape if needed?

The best way to prevent a fire is to correct hazards that can cause a fire. –What are some of the hazards you see in this picture and what can we do to correct them?

What kind of fire hazards could you find in your basement, garage or storage shed? –Flammable liquids (paint, gas, oil) not in proper containers or too close to a heat source - like a water heater or space heater. –Piles of clothing, paper or boxes too close to a heat source - like a water heater or furnace. –Any others?

Take your home fire hazard checklist home and inspect your home, with your parents or grandparents, to find any hazards you may have - then correct them immediately!

Remember - fires dont just happen. They need a heat source and a fuel source - combined with oxygen. By spotting fire hazards in your home, you can keep your heat and fuel sources separated - a fire does not happen!