Spring cleaning vital for fire safety

  • Published
  • By 341st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services/U.S. Fire Administration
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  
Spring is just around the corner and spring cleaning can take on another meaning. It's the ideal time to check homes and property for unsafe conditions that may cause or support a fire.

This can be accomplished by taking a few minutes to plan a safety clean up day. Individuals should check each room in their house, including the basement, if applicable. Also, don't forget the garage, yard and storage shed.  See the following checklist below:

Remove all hazards. Check and correct things like:
- Frayed or damaged appliance cords, wiring, fuses or breakers.
- Piles of rubbish, trash and yard debris.
 -Remove stacks of paper and magazines; take them to recycling centers.
- Check for water leaks, especially near electrical appliances.
- Check for good clearance between heating appliances and combustibles


Properly store flammable liquids and home chemicals:
- Make sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and out of the reach of children and pets. Store in a cool, dry place outside the house.
- Clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches or other work items away and out of any child's reach.
- Inventory all home and yard chemicals, paints and poisons. Store them according to their label. Properly dispose of any that are expired or leaking or that look bad, but don't throw them in the trash or down the drain.
- Make sure that all chemicals are kept out of reach of children.

Check fire protection and safety equipment - this is important!
 -Check smoke detectors. Do it now while thinking about it.  For help checking detectors, call us. But most importantly, make sure smoke detectors work. Replace batteries if necessary.
 -Check home fire extinguisher for serviceability and placement if applicable.
- Make sure all doors and windows open easily for fast escapes. Make sure street numbers are posted properly and are visible.
- Check and make sure a working flashlight is handy for nighttime evacuation and power outages.

Create an escape plan now
 -Sit down with family members and make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. Review Home Family Escape Plans.
- Make sure there are two ways out of every room and that a meeting place outside the house for the whole family has been discussed.
 -Practice the plan. Even the best plan is no good if it's not practiced!

Individuals can do a lot to protect themselves, their family and their home. In fact, individuals are the key to their safety. A little time spent on simple common sense prevention will do a lot to make homes a safer place. We are here to help! Call us at 731-4836 or 731-4100 and we will show individuals more ways they can protect themselves all year long.