| Government Resources |
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Help Yourself to a Healthy Home - Protect Your Children's Health - How healthy is your home? Each year, many people - especially children - are injured or
become ill due to home conditions that could be prevented or eliminated. Take time to read this important information and
make sure that your home is safe and healthy. |
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A Factsheet on High-Rise Safety - Recent fatal fires in high-rise
structures have prompted Americans to rethink fire safety. A key to fire safety for those who live and work in these
special structures is to practice specific high-rise fire safety and prevention behaviors. |
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A Factsheet on Manufactured Home Fire Safety
- Fires in manufactured homes claim the lives of 500 Americans each year and injure 1,000 more. Many of these fires
are caused by heating and electrical system malfunctions and improper storage of combustibles. The United States Fire
Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of
life and property in home fires. |
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A Factsheet on Rural Fire Safety and Prevention - If you live in
an area where the local fire department is more than a few minutes away because of travel time or distance, or if you
are outside the limits of the nearest town, be sure you know how to be self-reliant in a fire
emergency. |
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A Fire Safety Factsheet for Older Adults and their Caregivers -
Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire. People over the age of 80 die in
fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. However, there are a number of precautionary steps
older Americans can take to dramatically reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty. |
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A Healthy
Home Environment - People who have the luxury of building their own home can
employ a wide variety of measures to minimize their potential exposure to indoor environmental hazards. Fortunately for
those who live in homes that are not custom-built, there are a number of strategies available to improve indoor air
quality. |
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Air Quality - Carbon
Monoxide - This site lists answers about carbon monoxide and the affects it has
on humans. |
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Air Quality: Radon - This page lists common questions and answers about radon. |
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AirData: Access to Air
Pollution Data - The AirData Web site gives you access to air pollution data for the
entire United States. AirData produces reports and maps of air pollution data based on criteria that you
specify. |
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Bedroom Fire Safety - Nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that start in bedrooms.
Many of these fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, such as overloading extension
cords or using portable space heaters too close to combustibles. Many other bedroom fires are caused by children
who play with matches and lighters, careless smoking among adults, and arson. |
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Building a New Home: Have You Considered Radon? - There are so
many things to consider when having a new home built - so many choices to make. How many bedrooms should you
have? Is the kitchen large enough? Do you need a basement? You may even be concerned about environmental
issues, such as the fumes from new building materials and furnishings. But are you concerned about radon? You
should be. |
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Carbon Monoxide (EPA) - Read about this type of indoor pollution; find out the definition, sources and health
effects. |
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Consumer Energy
Information - This site has energy savung information for your home, business,
school, transporation. There is also a Tip of the Month and an Enery Glossary |
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Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety
Board - is mandated under the Atomic Energy Act is to provide safety oversight of
the nuclear weapons complex operated by the Department of Energy (DOE). |
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Defense Threat Reduction
Agency - safeguards America and its friends from weapons of mass destruction
(chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by reducing the present threat and preparing for the
future threat. |
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Environmental Management Program by State - See what
environmental programs may be available in your state. |
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EPA - Drinking Water and Health: What You Need To Know - This page
answers questions about drinking water in your area. What contaminants may be found? Where does it come from?
How is drinking water treated? Click here to learn more! |
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EPA -
Radon-Related Hotlines and Services - This page lists different services such as
the National Radon Information Hotline, the Radon FIX-IT Program, the Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse, and
the National Hispanic Indoor Air Quality Hotline. |
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Extension Disaster Education
Network - The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) shares education
resources to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters. |
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Federal Emergency Management
Agency - has a mission to reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's
critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program
of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. |
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FEMA - House
and Building Fires - A fire can engulf a structure in a matter of minutes.
Understanding the basic characteristics of fire and learning the proper safety practices can be the key to surviving a
house or building fire. |
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FEMA Disaster Services - Disaster Supplies Kit - Your
family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster
Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in
advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement. |
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FEMA: The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals - When
disasters take place, the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides money and services to people in the
disaster area when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed. This program
guide provides information that will help you understand IHP and explains how to apply. |
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Fire Extinguisher Selection, Location and Use - To effectively
fight a fire, an individual must be prepared with the right type of extinguisher, have it readily available, and know how to
use it properly. Failure to be properly prepared to extinguish a fire not only reduces the chances of containing the
blaze, but may also place the individual in a extremely hazardous situation. |
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Fire
Safety (National Library of Medicine) - This site lists great resources for fire
prevention. |
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Fire Safety for Babies and
Toddlers - "Prepare. Practice. Prevent the Unthinkable." urges parents and
caregivers to prepare by installing and maintaining working smoke alarms; safely storing lighters and matches out of
children's reach and sight; and practicing a fire escape plan with small children, which should include helping toddlers
understand how to quickly respond in case of fire, and planning how adults can escape with babies. |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Monoxide Detectors - The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that approximately 200 people
per year are killed by accidental CO poisoning with an additional 5000 people injured. While regular maintenance and
inspection of gas burning equipment in the home can minimize the potential for exposure to CO gas, the possibility for
some type of sudden failure resulting in a potentially life threatening build up of gas always exists. |
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Healthy Forests and
Rangelands - Healthy Forests and Rangelands provides fire, fuels, and land
management information to government officials, land and fire management professionals, businesses, communities,
and other interested organizations and individuals. |
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Home Fire Safety - Part 1 - According to the National Fire Protection Association,
fires in the home claimed 4,335 lives in 1991. In addition, home fires caused over 20,000 injuries and produced property
damage totaling $8.7 billion. The NFPA notes that although a fire is reported every 15 seconds, in most cases, they are
completely preventable. Here are some tips which can help you avoid fires in the home. |
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Home Fire Safety - Part 2 - The National Farm Safety Association notes that the
best fire safety system is a person! The best smoke detector is the human nose but that is only true if the person is
alert, awake, and responsible. Since this is not the case 24 hours a day, a reliable automatic system should be used.
Read more about smoke detectors. |
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Household Products
Database - What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and
on the shelves in your laundry room? Do these household products pose a potential health risk to you and your family?
Find out what's in these products and what are the potential health effects, and other safety and handling
information. |
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Indoor Air Quality - Indoor air quality is just as important as outdoor air quality! Because breathing isn't optional,
the air you breathe, no matter where you breathe it, should be as clean as possible; a safe and pleasant indoor "world"
can often be achieved by making simple changes to your everyday routine. |
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Indoor Air Quality (EPA) - Environmental Protection Agency studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that
indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. These
levels of indoor air pollutants may be of particular concern because most people spend about 90% of their time
indoors. |
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Indoor Air
Quality (IAQ) in Homes/Residences - Indoor pollution sources that release gases
or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can
increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not
carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. |
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Kitchen Fire Safety - The following information describes the types of fires you might expect in the kitchen ... and
what to do about them. |
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Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards - The Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards'
(OAQPS) primary mission is to preserve and improve air quality in the United States. OAQPS, as part of this goal,
monitors and reports on air quality, air toxics , and emissions. |
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Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning -
Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-
burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Be safe. Practice the DO’s and DON’Ts of carbon
monoxide. |
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Radon (EPA) - Read all about what radon is and how it affects us. |
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Residential Fire Prevention Tips (CPSC) - Follow these fire prevention tips to keep
your home safe. |
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Safe USA - is
dedicated to reducing significantly the high rates of injuries and deaths related to injuries in the United States and
increasing the levels of safety in the nation’s homes, schools, work sites, transportation areas, and
communities. |
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Safety For Older Consumers Home Safety Checklist - The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 1981, over 622,000 people over age 65 were treated in hospital
emergency rooms for injuries associated with products they live with and use everyday. CPSC believes that many of
these injuries result from hazards that are easy to overlook, but also easy to fix. By spotting these hazards and taking
some simple steps to correct them, many injuries might be prevented. Use this checklist to spot possible safety
problems which may be present in your home. |
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Subterranean Termites - Subterranean termites are the most damaginginsects of
wood. Their presence is hard to noticeand damage usually is found before the termitesare seen. Prevent infestations
because if theyoccur they will almost always need professionalpest control service. |
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U.S. Fire Administration - The mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related,
through leadership, advocacy, coordination and support. |
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United for a Stronger America: Citizens' Preparedness Guide - Learn
about some simple steps you can take in order to prepare and protect your family and community in the event of a
tragedy. |
| Private Resources |
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Carbon Monoxide - The
Silent Killer - Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non
irritating gas. It kills more people annually in the United States than any other type of poisoning. This gaseous toxin is
produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, coal, oil, kerosene, natural gas, and
propane. |
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General
Information on Radon - This site is from the Radiation Information Network; it lists
links to various resources on the web about radon. |
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Health House - Indoor
Air Quality Checklist - If you're concerned about the quality of your home
environment, use this checklist to identify potential contaminants and sources of pollution. |
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Health House® - The Health House® project is a national education program created by the American
Lung Association of Minnesota to raise the standards for better indoor environments. |
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Home Design - AARP - |
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How to Prevent Poisonings in Your Home - We buy
more than a quarter of a million different household products that are used in and around the home for medication,
cleaning, cosmetic purposes, exterminating insects, and killing weeds. These items are valuable in the home and for
yard maintenance, but misuse can cause illness, injury and even death. |
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Indoor Air
Quality/Allergies & Molds - This page from Oklahoma State University lists links to
different resources on the web about indoor air quality, allergens, and molds. |
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National Fire Protection
Association - The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA is to reduce the
worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based
consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. |
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National Radon Safety Board - The NRSB seeks to encourage the highest standards of practice and integrity in radon
services through the development of independent standards and procedures for certifying, approving and accrediting
radon testers, mitigators, measurement devices, chambers and laboratories. |
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North Carolina Radon Program - This site provides information on radoon program in North Carolina |
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Ohio Radon Information System - This site from the University of Toledo gives information on radon, preventative measures,
health risks, and much more. |
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Radon Project - The Radon Project at Columbia University was created to assist U.S. homeowners in
deciding whether they have serious radon problems and, if so, what to do. |
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Red Cross - The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent,
prepare for, and respond to emergencies. |
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The Minnesota Radon
Project - |
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Your Home Fire
Safety Checklist - Many of the injuries associated with flammable products result
from hazards that are overlooked. Fire experts agree that one key to fewer fires is a greater awareness of how
accidents can be prevented. By spotting these hazards and taking some simple precautions, many fires and fire-related
injuries can be prevented. Use this checklist as a safety guide to spot possible fire safety problems which may be
present in your home. |
