• Make sure all smoke detectors are in working order and check them monthly. Battery-powered smoke detectors should have new batteries twice a year; many households change batteries when Daylight Savings Time changes.
• Make sure the fire extinguishers are charged and that everyone in the home is trained to use them. At a minimum, have one in the kitchen, one near the bedrooms, and one in the garage. There should be a fire extinguisher on every level of your home. Be sure fire extinguishers are rated for ABC type, which extinguish paper, chemical, and electrical fires. Check fire extinguishers regularly to be sure they are properly charged.
• Keep a box of baking soda by the stove to extinguish grease fires. (Baking soda poured on a grease fire will put it out. Never pour water or other fluids on a grease fire).
• Make sure all exits are clear at all times. Never block doors, hallways or stairs (except with quick-opening baby gates).
• Never nail windows shut. Install quick-opening window locks so windows can be used as emergency exits in case of fire.
• Practice "stop, drop and roll" drills with everyone in the child care center to extinguish flames on clothing.
• Have a fire safety drill. Be sure the children know how to exit from different parts of the child care center and what to do if the closest exit is blocked by flames or smoke. Small children often hide from fire in closets, or other small spaces which make it difficult for firefighters to find and rescue them. Be sure to have children practice leaving the child care center in case of fire. Teach them how to crawl on hands and knees to breathe the cleanest air (about fourteen inches from the floor). Teach them to touch the inside surface of a door before opening it in case flames and smoke are on the other side; not to open a door that is hot to the touch; and how to signal where they are to rescuers if they are trapped in a room.
• Select a meeting place outside the child care center where everyone gathers to count heads in case of emergency. Be sure it is far enough from the child care center to avoid flying debris or fire, but close enough that everyone can find it easily in the dark. Teach the children not to return for missing pets - it could cost them their lives.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children's reach at all times, and teach the children never to play with fire or matches under any circumstances. Encourage children to tell an adult immediately if they find matches or lighters.
• Keep additional working flashlights in key areas that are labeled throughout the child care center (by stairwells, at the ends of hallways, etc.) to aid in finding the way out in case of fire or other emergency.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

• Be sure all electrical outlets have clear childproof covers.
• Check all electrical appliances for loose plugs, fraying cords or bare wires, and remove them for repair.
• Never allow children to play with electrical cords. If necessary, remove appliances from areas where they play.
• Don't overload electrical outlets with too many appliances.
• Don't run wires or extension cords under rugs or carpeting, across the floor in traffic areas, or anyplace where children or others could trip. Fasten wires up out of children's reach or secure them behind large immovable pieces of furniture.
• Be sure you use the right kind of outlet for the job. If your appliance has a three-prong plug, never break off the ground prong to fit it into a two-prong outlet. Ideally, have grounded outlets installed in your home.
• Any appliance or electrical device which smokes or sparks should be unplugged (use heavy dry rubber or leather gloves) immediately. If you are going to discard the appliance, cut off the cord to prevent children from plugging it in.
• Keep any bathroom electrical appliances away from water sources (e.g. bathtubs, sinks) and out of children's reach.