Grinnell Police Department

Home Safety Checklist

Living room and Family room

1.        Can you turn on a light without having to walk into a dark room?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       Are lamp, extension or phone cords out of the flow of foot traffic?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

3.       Are passageways in this room free from objects and clutter(papers, furniture)

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

4.       Are curtains and furniture at least 36 inches from baseboard heaters or portable heaters?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

5.       Do your carpets lie flat?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

6.       Do your small rugs and runners stay put (don’t slide or roll up when you push them with your foot?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Kitchen

1.        Are your stove controls easy to see and use?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       Do you keep loose fitting clothing, towels, and curtains that may catch fire away from the burners and oven?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

3.       Can you get to regularly used items without climbing to reach them?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

4.       Do you have a step stool that is sturdy and in good repair?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Bedrooms

1.        Do you have working smoke detectors on the ceiling outside of bedroom doors?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       Can you turn on a light without having to walk into a dark room?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

3.       Do you have a lamp or light switch within easy reach of your bed?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

4.       Is a phone within reach of your bed?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

5.       Is a light left on at night between your bed and the toilet?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

6.       Are the curtains and furniture at least 36 inches from your baseboard heater or portable heater?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Bathroom

1.        Does your shower or tub have a no-skid surface, such as a mat, decals, or abrasive strips? 

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

2.       Does the tub/shower have a sturdy grab bar (not just a towel rack)?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

3.       Is your hot water temperature set to 120 degrees or lower?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

4.       Does your floor have a not slip surface or does the rug have a non skid backing?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

5.       Are you able to get on and off the toilet seat easily?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Stairways

1.        Is there a light switch at both the top and bottom of inside stairs?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       With the light on, can you clearly see the outline of each step as you go down the stairs?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

3.       Do all stairways have sturdy handrails on both sides?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

4.       Do handrails run the full length of the stairs, slightly beyond the steps?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

5.       Are all the steps in good repair (not loose, broken, missing, or worn in places)?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

6.       Are stair coverings (rugs, treads) in good repair, without holes and not loose, torn, or worn?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

Hallways and Passageways

1.        Do small rugs or runners stay put (don’t slide or roll up) when you push them with your foot?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       Do your carpets lie flat?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

3.       Are all lamp, extension and phone cords out of the flow of foot traffic?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Front and Back Entrances

1.        Do all entrances to your home have outdoor lights?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t know

2.       Are walkways to your entry free from cracks and wholes?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

Throughout your house

1.        Do you have an emergency exit plan in case of a fire?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

2.       Do you have emergency phone numbers listed by your phone?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

3.       Are there other hazards or unsafe areas in your home that are not mentioned in this checklist that you are concerned about?

a.       YES

b.       NO

c.        Don’t Know

d.       If so what?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What home safety changes do you want to make?

1.       _________________________________________________________________

2.       __________________________________________________________________

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Last updated 04/19/2008