A home is typically the most expensive single purchase one makes in their lifetime. While an incident or natural disaster may not spare our home, taking these actions can help mitigate the effects and make life after an emergency event easier.

• Use our handy home inspection checklist to reduce your fire risk, or request to have your home inspected by members of our Fire Department staff
• Install smoke detectors on each level and in sleeping areas, not in kitchens and bathrooms. Function test according to manufacturers’ recommendations and replace batteries every six months. Vacuum or blow out (with compressed air) your smoke alarm when changing your batteries. A dusty smoke alarm is the #1 cause of false activations
• Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector on each level. Maintain according to manufacturers’ directions.
• A CO detector will not indicate raw gas in the home. We recommend installing a natural gas and/or propane detector on each level (if your home uses these fuel sources) to protect your loved ones. Maintain according to manufacturers’ directions
• Purchase ABC fire extinguishers and keep them accessible on each level
• Make your house numbers clearly visible from the street
• Repair defective wiring and large cracks in plaster
• Obtain disaster insurance for home and personal property
• Obtain information on the National Flood Insurance Program from a local insurance company, especially if you live in a flood-prone area
• Secure important papers, lists, and photographs of personal property in a bank safety deposit box
• Buy flashlights/emergency lighting. Avoid using candles (fire hazard)
• Securely bolt/strap your water heater
• Locate your home’s main water, electrical, and gas shut-offs, and learn how to shut them off