Home Safety Checklist

Remember, Home Safety isn't just for Seniors!

Each year, many adults and children are injured in and around their homes. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 1981, over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. CPSC believes that many of these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented.

MedicineNet provides an excellent home safety checklist which you can use to improve the safety of your home. Use this checklist to spot possible safety problems which may be present in your home. Keep this checklist as a reminder of safe practices, and use it periodically to re-check your home.

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Highlights

In all areas of your home, check the following items for potential safety issues:

electrical cords
telephone cords
extension cords
rugs, runners and mats
smoke detectors
electrical outlets and switches
light bulbs
space heaters
woodburning stoves and chimneys
telephones
exits (emergency exit plan)
fire extinguishers
proper ventilation in cooking areas

Key Safety Questions

In addition to checking the items above, consider the following safety related questions.

Are emergency numbers posted on or near the telephone?
Are any outlets and switches unusually warm or hot to the touch?
Do you have an emergency exit plan and an alternate emergency exit plan in case of a fire?
Has the chimney been cleaned within the past year?
Are exits and passageways kept clear and well lit?
Are bathtubs and showers equipped with non-skid mats, abrasive strips, or surfaces that are not slippery?
Are small electrical appliances such as hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, etc., unplugged when not in use?
Are all medicines stored in the containers that they came in and are they clearly marked?
Are ash trays, smoking materials, or other fire sources (heaters, hot plates, teapots, etc.) located away from beds or bedding?
Is anything covering your electric blanket when in use?
Do you ever go to sleep with a heating pad which is turned on?
Is there a telephone close to your bed?
Can you turn on the lights without first having to walk through a dark area?
Regarding your fuse box or circuit breakers: if fuses are used, are they the correct size for the circuit?
Has the grounding feature on any 3-prong plug been defeated by removal of the grounding pin or by improperly using an adapter?
CHECK FLAMMABLE AND VOLATILE LIQUIDS: are containers of volatile liquids tightly capped?
Are gasoline, paints, solvents, or other products that give off vapors or fumes stored away from ignition sources?

For more information on consumer safety, please visit the Home Safety Council

Additional Resources

Electrical Safety Checklist

Backyard Safety Checklist

Water Safety Checklist

Poison Prevention Checklist

Child Safety Tips

Childproofing Your Home

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