Fire, Carbon Monoxide & Home Emergency Safety

Fires, carbon monoxide, electrical problems, and other household emergencies can develop quickly. Having basic safety equipment in the right places can provide an earlier warning, help with small problems before they become larger ones, and make it easier to leave the home safely when necessary.

This page brings together practical products for fire and carbon monoxide detection, small-fire response, emergency escape, electrical safety, household shutoffs, and keeping essential safety equipment easy to find.

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Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Early warning is one of the most important parts of household fire and carbon monoxide safety.

Useful options may include:

Choose alarms appropriate for the home and follow manufacturer instructions and local requirements for placement, testing, batteries, replacement, and installation. People who may not reliably hear a standard alarm may need equipment designed to provide additional visual, vibrating, or other alerts.

Fire Extinguishers & Small-Fire Response

The right equipment may help with a small, manageable fire, but personal safety and a clear escape route always come first.

Useful options may include:

Keep extinguishers visible and accessible rather than buried behind stored items. Anyone expected to use one should understand its limitations and basic operation before an emergency occurs.

Never remain in a burning building simply because an extinguisher is available. If a fire is spreading, producing heavy smoke, blocking an exit, or cannot be handled safely, leave immediately and call 911 from a safe location.

Emergency Escape & Exit Safety

A clear way out of the home matters more than any piece of equipment used to fight a fire.

Useful options may include:

Escape ladders should only be used where appropriate for the building and according to manufacturer instructions. Everyone in the household should know the primary way out and an alternate route when possible.

Keep hallways, stairs, doors, and other exit routes free from storage and clutter.

Electrical & Appliance Safety

Simple equipment can help identify or reduce some common electrical and appliance-related hazards around the home.

Useful options may include:

Replace damaged cords, plugs, outlets, and electrical equipment rather than relying on temporary repairs. Extension cords and power strips should not be used as permanent substitutes for adequate household wiring.

Electrical repairs beyond simple user-level tasks should be handled by a qualified professional.

Household Shutoff & Emergency Tools

Knowing how to stop water, electricity, or other household systems can help limit damage during some emergencies.

Useful options may include:

Know where the home’s water shutoff, electrical panel, and other important controls are located before an emergency occurs.

Do not attempt to operate utility equipment when doing so would expose you to fire, electricity, gas, flooding, or another immediate hazard.

Emergency Lighting & Visibility

Reliable lighting can make it easier to move safely through the home during a power outage or emergency evacuation.

Useful options may include:

Keep lighting equipment in predictable locations where it can be reached without searching through dark rooms.

Consider placing flashlights near bedrooms, main exits, and other areas where they are likely to be needed.

Safety Equipment Organization & Maintenance

Emergency equipment only helps when it can be found quickly and is still ready to work.

Useful options may include:

Choose consistent locations for emergency equipment and periodically check alarms, extinguishers, flashlights, batteries, and other supplies.

Replace expired, damaged, recalled, or nonworking equipment promptly.

Before You Buy

Household safety equipment should match the home, the people living there, and the hazards the equipment is intended to address.

Before choosing products, consider:

Safety standards: Look for products that meet applicable safety standards and certifications.
Placement: Make sure alarms, extinguishers, lights, and escape equipment can be installed or stored where they will actually be useful.
Accessibility: Everyone who may need the equipment should be able to locate and use it.
Maintenance: Some equipment requires testing, battery replacement, inspection, or eventual replacement.
Household needs: Consider children, older adults, disabilities, hearing or vision changes, pets, and anyone who may need assistance during an emergency.
Local requirements: Building codes, landlord requirements, and fire-safety rules may affect which equipment is required and where it must be installed.

Start with reliable detection and a safe way out of the home. Additional equipment can support that plan, but it should never replace working alarms, clear exits, and knowing when to leave and call for help.