Electrical Are all unused outlets covered with safety plugs? Are all major electrical appliances grounded? Have cord holders been used to keep longer cords fastened against walls? Have you checked for and removed other electrical fire hazards, such as overloaded electrical sockets and electrical wires running under carpets? Are televisions, computers, and stereo equipment positioned against walls? Are they secured to the wall with brackets so they can't tip forward? Do you unplug extension cords when they are not in use? Heating & Cooling Elements Are all radiators and baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens if necessary? Have gas fireplaces been secured with a valve cover or key? Do all working fireplaces have a screen and other barriers in place when in use? Have chimneys been cleaned recently? Are all electric space heaters at least 3 feet (91 centimeters) from beds, curtains, or anything flammable? Emergency Equipment & Numbers Do you have a list of emergency phone numbers on your cellphone and near each phone in your home? Are there fire extinguishers installed on every floor and in the kitchen? Do you know how to use them? Do you have an emergency ladder for the upper floors of your home? Are there smoke detectors on each floor of your home? Have smoke detectors been installed in the hallways between all bedrooms of your home? Have you tested all smoke detectors within the last month? Have you changed the batteries in the smoke detectors within the past 6 months? If you cook with or heat your home with natural gas or have an attached garage, have you installed a carbon monoxide detector in your home? Back to Articles Related Articles Household Safety Checklists Young kids love to explore their homes, but are unaware of the potential dangers. Learn how to protect them with our handy household safety checklists. Read More Preventing House Fires Take the time now to review fire safety facts and tips to prevent fires in your home. Read More Household Safety: Preventing Burns, Shocks, and Fires Burns are a potential hazard in every home. In fact, burns - especially scalds from hot water and liquids - are some of the most common childhood accidents. Here's how to protect kids from burns. Read More Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents You might think of babies and toddlers when you hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," but unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 and under. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.