Emergency Preparedness

Home Safety & Emergency Preparedness

The City of Hamilton encourages all residents to take simple steps to make their homes safer for families, visitors, and emergency responders. Use this checklist as a quick reminder of common home and fire safety practices.

Make Your Address Easy to Find

In an emergency, seconds matter. Help first responders find your home quickly:

• Post your house number where it is clearly visible from the street, day and night.
• Use numbers that contrast with the background and are large enough to be seen easily from the road.
• If your house sits back from the street, place the numbers on your mailbox or on a post near the driveway.

Home Safety Checklist

• Exit doors or windows should open easily from the inside without tools, keys, or special knowledge.
• Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Do not use extension cords as a permanent power supply.
• Avoid overloading outlets; unplug items you are not using.
• Do not place extension cords under rugs or carpet.
• Allow at least one foot of space around electronic equipment to prevent overheating.
• Keep fireplaces screened and cleaned regularly.
• Do not store snacks or other tempting items above the range where children might reach over a hot surface.
• Keep heating equipment at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Run water over used matches before putting them in the trash.
• Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test them monthly and replace batteries regularly.
• Keep at least one fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen where you can reach it quickly.
• Practice a home fire drill with your household at least twice a year.

In any emergency, always dial 911. Dispatch will send the appropriate fire, EMS, or law enforcement response.