CATHEDRAL CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
William Soqui / Fire Chief

Home Fire Inspections

American homes suffer an unwanted fire approximately every 10 seconds, and every 60 seconds they suffer a fire serious enough to call the fire department. Most importantly, every two and a half hours someone is fatally injured in a house fire, that is over 3,500 people a year. Another 20,000 are injured to a lesser degree every year.

Protecting your family from fire requires advance planning for what to do in the event of a fire. This includes the use of protective devices, usually smoke detectors, to provide an early warning of fire, especially at night when they are most vulnerable.

Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of injuries from fire. However, they are often extinguished with only minor damage since a person is generally present. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded cigarettes, sparks from fireplaces without a spark screen or glass door, and heating appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles. These fire can be particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period of time before being discovered by sleeping residents.

Most victims of a fire succumb to the smoke and toxic gases and not to burns. Fire produces poisonous gases that can spread rapidly and far from the fire itself to claim victims who are asleep and not even aware of the fire. Even if residents awaken, the effects of exposure to the toxic gases can cloud their thinking and slow their reactions so that they cannot make their escape. This is why it is so crucial for you and your family to have sufficient warning so that you can all escape before your ability to think and move are impaired. In addition, more than half of fatal fires occur when people are asleep. Therefore, any fire protection system must be able to alert the residents who are asleep when the fire starts.

Is Your Home Fire Safe?

Take a few moments using the checklist below to assure that your home is fire-safe.

Exterior:
Assure that your address is well-lit and clearly visible from the street.
Trim all shrubbery and trees away from the chimney and surrounding roof area.
Trim all shrubbery and trees away from all outside electrical wires and panels.
 

Heating Sources and Fireplaces:
Use "space-heaters" sparingly, never unattended, and three feet from combustibles.
Replace furnace filters twice yearly.
Clean lint from rear and sides of clothes dryer regularly.
Install a spark screen or glass doors in front of fireplace.
Have chimney inspected and cleaned annually, inspect all joints in plumbing.
Install a spark arrestor on chimney.
Dispose of ashes in metal containers.
Keep newspaper and other combustibles away from water heater.

Electrical:
Avoid overloading electrical circuits.
Inspect electrical cords and appliances for damage.
Do not tack electrical cords to the wall or run under carpet.
Provide a clear area away from electrical equipment.
Install additional outlets by a qualified electrician to avoid overloading outlets/circuits.
If you must use an extension cord, use only the kind with a built in circuit breaker.

Flammable Liquids & Hazardous Materials:
Limit the amount of flammable liquids stored.
Dispose of household hazardous materials appropriately.
If you are unsure of the appropriate methods, please contact the administrative offices
Store hazardous materials in proper containers with tight fitting lids and correct labels.
Store all flammable liquids and hazardous materials away from heat sources.
Allow proper ventilation when using flammable liquids or hazardous materials.
Place oily rags in metal containers with tight fitting lids.

Cooking:
Never leave any item on the stove unattended.
Never store combustibles in oven or on top of the stove.
Move barbecue away from home and combustibles.
Dispose of coals/ashes in metal containers.
Keep dangling clothing away from burners.
Never allow cooking handles to extend out from stove.
Keep appliances clean and free from grease and crumbs.
Assure that oven /stove is off and small appliances unplugged before going to bed.

Smoking Materials & Candles:
Never leave smoking materials or candles unattended.
Use ashtrays with center supports to hold smoking material.
Empty ashtrays into non-combustible containers.
Never smoke in bed.
Place candles in non-combustible, non-tipping containers.
Keep matches and lighters away from children, preferably in a locked area.
Keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.

Smoke Alarms:
Install smoke alarms inside and outside every sleeping area and on every level in home.
Test smoke alarms once a month.
Keep smoke alarms away from air vents.
Place smoke detectors at least 4 - 6 inches away from walls and corners.
Replace smoke alarm every 10 years.
Replace batteries every six months.

Fire Extinguishers:
Purchase a multipurpose (ABC) extinguisher.
Teach everyone in your residence the proper usage and procedure for the extinguisher.
Inspect the extinguisher annually.

Escape Plan / Exit Drills in the Home:
Have an escape plan and make sure everyone in the home knows it.
Practice the plan every six months.
Keep emergency numbers, a whistle and a flashlight by the telephone.
Identify an outside meeting place and never re-enter a burning building.
Know how to call for emergency assistance.
Identify any special needs for assisting less mobile family members.
Teach baby sitters what to do in the event of an emergency.