Assessment

Does your home have working smoke alarms?

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Smoke alarms must be installed outside each sleeping area on every level of a home. Depending upon when your home was constructed, they may also be required in every bedroom.

Does your home have working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms?

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Under Minnesota law, every home is required to have at least one operating CO alarm within 10 feet of every room used for sleeping. The alarms can be hard-wired, battery powered, or plug-in devices. Make sure that alarms are UL listed and follow the package instructions for proper placement.

Do all members of your family sleep with bedroom doors closed?

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Fire and life safety research has shown that closed doors slow the spread of a fire.

Can all occupants of your home escape without assistance in an emergency?

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All occupants should be able to operate locking devices and remove window screens if necessary.

Do you have an escape plan if there were an emergency, such as a fire, in your home?

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Surveys show 80 percent of families has not practiced home fire drills.

Do you have a meeting place outside of your home to gather in the event of an emergency?

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Fire drills and escape plans should be discussed and practiced twice each year.

Do you allow smoking inside your home?

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State surveys show smoking is the top cause of fire fatalities. Always dispose of cigarettes and smoking materials in a non-combustible ash tray or container.

Do you use candles, incense, or other open flame or smoldering objects in your home?

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Candles have ignited more than 300 fires in Minnesota the past five years. Fireplace ashes should be allowed to cool and disposed of in a metal container.

Do you use a portable space heater or fireplace to heat your home?

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The state fire marshal reports space heaters are responsible for the largest share of home equipment fires. Ensure you maintain the required clearance based on manufacturer instructions. Always plug the heater directly into an outlet.  It is not safe to use extension cords with space heaters.

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