Government Resources |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Air
Quality - Carbon Monoxide - This site lists answers about carbon
monoxide and the affects it has on humans. |
Air Quality: Radon - This page lists common questions and answers about radon. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Carbon Monoxide
(EPA) - Read about this type of indoor pollution; find out the definition,
sources and health effects. |
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 |
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). |
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. |
DisasterAssistance.gov - An easy-to-use web site that consolidates
information about forms of disaster assistance in one place. Individuals in need of assistance following a
presidentially declared disaster designated for individual assistance will now be able to visit this site if they
wish to register online for assistance with FEMA and other federal agencies. |
Environmental Management Program by State - See what environmental programs may be available in your
state. |
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! |
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. |
Extension Disaster
Education Network - The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
shares education resources to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Fire Safety (National Library of Medicine) - This site lists
great resources for fire prevention. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Kitchen Fire
Safety - The following information describes the types of fires you might
expect in the kitchen ... and what to do about them. |
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. |
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. |
Radon (EPA) - Read all about what radon is and how it affects us. |
Residential Fire Prevention Tips (CPSC) - Follow these fire prevention tips
to keep your home safe. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
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. |
General
Information on Radon - This site is from the Radiation Information
Network; it lists links to various resources on the web about radon. |
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. |
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. |
Home Design -
AARP - |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
North Carolina Radon
Program - This site provides information on radoon program in North
Carolina |
Ohio Radon Information
System - This site from the University of Toledo gives information on
radon, preventative measures, health risks, and much more. |
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. |
Red
Cross - The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and
help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. |
The Minnesota Radon
Project - |
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. |