Most HOA have limited authority on what individual HOA members do within their homes with regard to their own wellbeing. However, it is every member’s best interest that care is exercised by all individual HOA members. Emphasizing the following items in the HOA’s newsletters and on the HOA’s website could be advantageous to the HOA membership.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends the following for all homeowners:

If there is a fire, you may have less than 3 minutes to get out of your home. Talk about what you should do to be safe. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do if there is a fire.

Test your alarm regularly. Your smoke alarm is working if it makes a noise when you press the “test” button.

Children are sometimes curious about fire. If you have children in your home, lock up any items that can start a fire (matches, lighters, cigarettes, etc.) and make sure children cannot reach candles.

Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms are on every level of the home.
• Smoke alarms are inside and outside sleeping areas.
• Smoke alarms are tested each month.
• Smoke alarm batteries are changed as needed.
• Smoke alarms are less than 10 years old.
• Test your alarm regularly. Your smoke alarm is working if it makes a noise when you press the “test” button.  

Cooking Safety

• The cooking area has no items that can burn.
• People stay in the kitchen when they are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• Pot handles are always turned toward the back of the stove.

Escape Plan

• There is a fire escape plan that shows 2 ways out of every room.
• Everyone knows where the safe meeting place is outside the home.
• Everyone living in the house practices the escape plan 2 times a year.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

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

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• All electrical cords are in good condition and are not broken or cut.
• People clean the dryer of lint after every use.
• All plug outlets are safe and do not feel warm when you touch them (If they are warm, call the landlord or an electrician).

Candle Safety

• Candles are in sturdy fire-proof containers that won’t be tipped over.
• Adults blow out all candles when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Candles are kept out of the reach of children and pets.

The above data is found at:

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/fief/up_in_smoke_home_checklist.pdf