Craig Daily Press / Fire crews: Make, practice escape plan

If the smoke detector sounds, fire officials say children should know to test the door with the back of their hand to determine whether it is hot before they open it. Enlarge photo — Photo by Matt Stensland

By Zach Fridell

July 11, 2008

■ Garage, Basement and Workshop

Is paper properly stored?

Are rags stored in airtight containers?

Is sawdust swept up?

Is old paint stored safely?

Is gasoline stored in a safety can?

Are any volatile liquids in the area?

Is the lawnmower tank empty?

Is the furnace flue clean?

Are the furnace and ductwork in good repair?

■ Bedroom

Are lamps and space heaters kept away from combustible materials?

Are lights in closets away from combustible materials?

Are electric blankets UL-listed?

Are electrical outlets safely loaded, with no overloads?

Are ashtrays kept away from the beds?

■ Outside

Does the TV antenna have a lightning arrestor?

Are the yard and garden well-trimmed, with no tall weeds?

Does the chimney have a spark arrestor?

Is the grill clean and away from all buildings?

■ General

Are all appliance cords in good repair?

Are fuses the proper size and in place?

Is all wiring done in an approved manner?

Are premises neat and orderly?

Are escape plans known by all family members?

Does the family hold regular fire drills?

Do you instruct babysitters in the fire procedure?

Did the family help with this checklist?

Do you have a smoke detector?

Have you recently tested it?

■ Living room

Is the fireplace properly guarded with a fine mesh screen?

Are furniture and burnable materials kept away from radiators, heat registers and fireplaces?

Are electrical outlets safely loaded, with no overloads?

Is the TV away from any combustible material?

Are ashtrays self-extinguishing?

Are ashtrays made of non-flammable materials?

■ Kitchen

Are appliances clean and in good repair?

Are combustible materials kept away from the stove?

Is the exhaust fan clear and grease-free?

Is grease safely stored?

Are matches kept out of reach of children?

Are curtains kept away from the stove and all fires?

Are electrical outlets safely loaded, with no cords to trip on?

Are wood floors under the stove protected or insulated?

■ Attic

Is the ventilating fan in good repair?

Are items stored neatly and orderly?

Is there any exposed wiring in the attic?

Steamboat Springs — With undergrowth drying out and fires more likely, the Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue Department is urging families to make a fire safety plan and practice their escape routes before a fire strikes.

Deb Funston, the department’s public education coordinator, said it is important for families to have a plan to get out of the house safely.

“The main thing is to make sure people have adequate exits,” she said. “People tend to plan one escape, and what if that escape is blocked?”

Fire Chief Bob Struble said families should practice safely exiting in the case of an emergency.

“Make sure every family member knows where the safe area is,” Struble said. “You should have two ways in and two ways out” of every room.

Families should also decide on a designated safe place to meet if the family must leave the house because of a fire. This can be a neighbor’s house or, if the home is in a rural area, at the end of the driveway near major roads.

“Go where other people are, toward the city or toward the road,” Funston said. That will also help direct emergency personnel, if they are required.

In the case of a fire, families also should head toward an area with a phone to call firefighters or other assistance, Funston said.

“Get to know your neighbors, so the kids know there is a neighbor to run to,” he said.

Families also can plan fire safety together using checklists such as the one provided by Struble’s office, or by using Web sites such as the one hosted by National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org/sparky/index.html.

Struble said the most important thing for families with young children is to teach the kids to sleep with their door closed and be able to recognize fire warning signs. If the smoke detector sounds, the children should know to test the door with the back of their hand to determine if it is hot before they open it, Struble said.

Struble also said people should be careful with recreational fires.

“It looks green, but it’s drying out fast,” he said.