At Baker Group, we work hard to be sure everyone goes home safe at night. And when they’re home, we want them to stay safe. Unfortunately, each year more than 21 million medical visits and more than 18,000 deaths in America are due to injuries that happen at home. But all accidents are preventable.

To keep your home sweet and safe, give your home a safety checkup using FEMA’s home safety checklist, below.

If there are small children in your home, please also review the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Childproofing Checklist. And because falls are the leading cause of accidental death in older adults, see the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s “Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults,” which offers simple fixes to common fall hazards.

FEMA’s Home Safety Checklist

Smoke Alarms

• There is one smoke alarm on every level of the home and inside and outside each sleeping area.
• Smoke alarms are tested and cleaned monthly.
• Smoke alarm batteries are changed as needed.
• Smoke alarms are less than 10 years old.

Cooking Safety

• Cooking area is free from items that can catch fire.
• Kitchen stove hood is clean and vented to the outside.
• Pots are not left unattended on the stove.

Electrical & Appliance Safety

• Electrical cords do not run under rugs.
• Electrical cords are not frayed or cracked.
• Circuit-protected, multi-prong adapters are used for additional outlets.
• Large and small appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets.
• Clothes dryer lint filter and venting system are clean.

Candle Safety

• Candles are in sturdy fire-proof containers that won’t be tipped over.
• All candles are extinguished before going to bed or leaving the room.
• Children and pets are never left unattended with candles.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• Carbon monoxide alarms are located on each level of the home.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are less than 7 years old.

Smoking Safety

• Family members who smoke only buy fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.
• Matches and lighters are secured out of children’s sight.
• Ashtrays are large, deep and kept away from items that can catch fire.
• Ashtrays are emptied into a container that will not burn.

Heating Safety

• Chimney and furnace are cleaned and inspected yearly.
• Furniture and other items that can catch fire are at least 3 feet from fireplaces, wall heaters, baseboards and space heaters.
• Fireplace and barbecue ashes are placed outdoors in a covered metal container at least 3 feet from anything that can catch fire.
• Extension cords are never used with space heaters.
• Heaters are approved by a national testing laboratory and have tip-over shut-off function.

Home Escape Plan

• Have two ways out of each room.
• Know how to crawl low to the floor when escaping to avoid toxic smoke.
• Know that once you’re out, stay out.
• Know where to meet after the escape.
• Meeting place should be near the front of your home, so firefighters know you are out.
• Practice your escape plan.