Have your home inspected for fire and building codes.
Repair poor wiring and large cracks in plaster.
Buy disaster insurance to cover home and property. Ask your insurance company or local emergency authorities about the National Flood Insurance Program.
Keep important papers and photos of personal property in a safety deposit box.
Put easy-to-reach ABC fire extinguishers on every floor. Ask your Fire Department to train you. Check periodically.
Install smoke detectors outside each sleeping area, not in kitchens or bathrooms. Check and dust your smoke detectors once a month. Change smoke detector batteries yearly (a good time is when you adjust your clocks each fall).
Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Maintain the CO detector according to manufacturer's instructions.
Buy flashlights, emergency lighting
Avoid candles (fire hazard)
Make your address visible from the street so fire trucks can find you.
Secure your water heater
Locate your home main water, electrical, and gas shut-offs - learn how and when to shut them off. Mark the shut-offs with brightly colored stickers or tape.