Home Safety Inspection

Request a home safety check by calling the Authority at (623) 544-5400.

The Arizona Fire & Medical Authority offers free home safety checks to its residents. Let the fire department assess your:

Home evacuation plan
Frequency of furnace and fireplace cleaning
Safe storage of flammable materials
Smoke alarm placement
Space heaters
Extension cord use
Safety practices in kitchens and around water
Smoking habits
Other possible fire hazards

If there are children in the home, the Authority will check:

Keeping medicines, cleaning fluids and sharp objects in a latched or locked cabinet or drawer
Using toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs in homes with a child under 3 years old
Home fire evacuation plans and fire drills
Keeping window blind and drapery cords secured
Determining if there is chipping or peeling paint
Using safe furniture and toys
Assessing general safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries

Home Fire Safety Inspection Checklist
A fire can occur in any part of your home. Use the following checklist items to conduct your own safety audit.

Smoking Habits

Are all matches and lighters kept out of children’s reach?
Is “No Smoking in Bed” a rule of the house?
Is your family aware that ash trays should NEVER be emptied into waste baskets?
Are there plenty of large, safe ash trays throughout the house?
Do you check for smoldering cigarette butts in the furniture?

Electrical Hazards

Are appliances checked periodically for good operating conditions?
Are you careful not to run extension cords under rugs or over hooks and nails?
When using extension cords for appliances, does the gauge of both cords match?
Are electrical outlets overloaded?

Housekeeping

Do you keep rubbish cleaned out of attics, garages and yards?
Is paint kept in tightly closed metal containers?
Are flammable liquids stored in safety cans and kept away from heat and children?
Have you make it a rule to NEVER use flammable liquids for cleaning clothes or start fires?
Are oily rags kept in a tightly sealed container?
Is your clothes dryer vent clean and properly installed?

Heating and Cooking

If you have a fireplace, is a screen always placed in front of it?
Is the filter for your forced air heater changed yearly and the venting cleaned?
Are furnaces and wood burning stoves in good repair and located away from combustible walls and ceilings?
Do you have the fireplace chimney cleaned and checked periodically?
Do you make sure combustibles are not stored near the stove, heater or fireplace?
Do your children keep a safe distance from flame and heat sources?

Smoke Alarms

Have you installed a smoke alarm on each floor and in every bedroom?
Do you test your smoke alarm(s) every month?
Do you replace the battery of your battery-operated smoke alarm every year?
Are your smoke alarms less than 10 years old?

Fire Escape Plan

Does your family have a fire escape plan prepared?
Is your escape plan posted and regularly practiced?
Does each bedroom have TWO exits?
Do you have a meeting place so you will know everyone is outside and safe?
Are emergency response numbers posted on all telephones?
Is your address on or near your telephone?
Do all family members know how to dial 9-1-1 for fire, police or medical emergencies?
Do you show your babysitter/guests your home escape routes and review 9-1-1- with her/him?
Does your family (and babysitter) know the first rule in fire emergencies: Get everyone out fast and don’t go back inside.

Fire Extinguishers

Do you have a UL or FM approved fire extinguisher in your home?
Do you take it out two times a year and shake it to keep the powder from packing?

Outside

Have all dried grass cuttings, tree trimmings and weeds been removed from your property?
Can you see your house number from the street