Is Your Home Fire-Safe?
A 10-question assessment to evaluate your smoke detectors, escape plans, kitchen safety, and fire prevention habits. Especially critical for those living alone.
Home fires kill more than 2,500 people in the U.S. each year, and the risk is significantly higher for people who live alone — particularly older adults. This assessment evaluates your fire prevention habits, detection systems, and escape readiness so you can identify and fix vulnerabilities before a fire starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is fire more dangerous for people living alone?
When you live alone, there's no one to wake you if a smoke detector fails, no one to call 911 if you're incapacitated by smoke, and no one to tell firefighters you're inside. Older adults living alone are at the highest risk because they may have mobility limitations, take medications that affect alertness, or have hearing loss that makes smoke detectors harder to hear. That's why daily check-in systems like ImAlive are so important — if a fire happens and you can't respond, someone is alerted.
How often should I test my smoke detectors?
Test every smoke detector monthly by pressing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year (many people do it when clocks change for daylight saving time). Replace the entire unit every 10 years — old detectors lose their ability to sense smoke even with fresh batteries. If you hear a chirping sound, the battery needs immediate replacement.
What is the PASS technique for fire extinguishers?
PASS stands for: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire (not the flames), Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side. Only attempt to use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small, contained, and you have a clear escape route behind you. If the fire is larger than a trash can or spreading, get out immediately and call 911.
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