Installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and testing them regularly are the most important steps a family can take to protect lives in the event of a fire.

That's according to a list of safety tips issued by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC in the wake of several recent devastating, and in some cases fatal, fires, including the April 3 blaze that killed 10 people in Brockway.

"Most people feel safe in their home. But during a fire, children -- especially those ages 5 and under -- are at extreme risk as they can become disoriented and separated from other family members in a matter of seconds," said Dr. Barbara Gaines, director of the Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program at the hospital.

"Families should make a plan for what to do in case of a fire and should test smoke alarms monthly. We know that homes with smoke alarms that catch fire typically have a death rate that is about 50 percent lower than the rate for homes without alarms."

The Allegheny County Health Department has free smoke alarms for people who live in these communities with a high rate of home fires:

Braddock, Collier, Duquesne, Etna, Forward, Homestead, McKeesport, North Braddock, Versailles, Wilkinsburg Pittsburgh neighborhoods Allentown, Beltzhoover, Carrick, Hazelwood, Homewood, Lincoln-Lemington and Perry South. To have a free alarm installed, call 412-247-7800.

Other fire safety tips from Children's:

• Install the smoke alarms on each floor, including the basement and outside each sleeping area.

• Develop an escape plan to use in the event of a fire and practice it twice a year.

• Teach children not to hide from fire and smoke.

• Teach children how to "stop, drop and roll" if their clothing catches fire.

• Know two routes out of each room.

• Make sure windows work and are not painted shut. Know how to remove window guards.

• If you have escape ladders to exit through windows, practice using them.

• Keep all-purpose fire extinguishers anywhere in your home that a fire might start, such as in the kitchen, garage or near the furnace or a fireplace. Know how to use them.

• Keep flammables, such as matches and candles, out of the reach of children.

• Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles. Do not leave cooking food unattended.

• Make sure electrical wiring is safe. Do not overload outlets or run wiring under rugs.

• Give space heaters room -- at least three feet all around.

• Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire in the home. Do not leave lit cigarettes or cigars unattended and never smoke in bed.

Elderly people at home face threats from conditions younger family members may not see. Home safety experts have compiled this checklist when inspecting an apartment or house:

• Examine dark pathways, corners and other areas where seniors regularly walk or read. Make sure all areas of the home have adequate lighting. Timed and motion-sensor lights outdoors can illuminate pathways. Inside, consider Ott-Lites -- which provide a high-intensity beam for doing detail work. Make sure that hallways and stairs are properly lit.

• Avoid monochromatic color schemes. Contrast can help seniors with failing eyesight better navigate their homes. Large red and blue buttons over hot and cold water faucet controls will help prevent dangerous mistakes. A dark green or brown toilet seat and vinyl tape around the shower will make those fixtures more easily distinguished. Kitchen countertops should contrast with floors as well.

• Look for ways to reorganize. Mom always put the black stew pot under the stove to keep the kids from breaking it. Perhaps now it belongs on a shelf beside the stove. And who says the eggs must go in the egg tray of the refrigerator? Perhaps it's easier for Dad to handle them if they're stored in the meat tray. If that hallway table is becoming a dangerous obstacle, relocate it.

• Look behind closed doors. Many seniors will close off parts of a house they no longer use. Be sure to check those areas regularly for mold or water damage. Don't close vents to crawl spaces.

• Simplify your senior's life. Talk to your parents about why and how they do things, then look for ways to simplify their lives. If your Mom's immaculate floors are now regularly dirty, think about how she's been doing that job all these years and offer options.

• Rather than a heavy mop and bucket, investigate lightweight, all-in-one mops. If your senior is replacing appliances, look for smooth-top stoves and refrigerators with water and ice on the outside. Change door knobs to levers, or purchase grips that can go on conventional knobs. Convert single-bulb light fixtures to multiple bulbs so seniors still have light when one bulb burns out.

• Consider security. Think about the potential dangers that lurk within your loved one's home. Lock-in switches on thermostats and stoves will keep seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease from harming themselves. Help them manage in their environment by installing a cordless intercom.

• Keep an eye out for damage. Watch for signs that a senior is adapting his or her behavior to the environment. Look for towel bars or window sills that are pulling away or shower curtains that have torn from seniors using them to grab onto.

• Look for ways to make entries safe. Make sure that railings into a home are in good repair and that steps and sidewalks are not damaged. Or eliminate steps altogether. Make sure that doors into a home can be set to stay open for carrying groceries and other items in and out. Install remote control locks.

• Is clutter taking over? Messy conditions and broken items are important warning signs. Remove area rugs and stacks of newspapers and magazines, or other potential obstacles.

Adapted from the home safety checklist developed by Home Instead Senior Care and enhanced in cooperation with the SUNY Buffalo School of Architecture IDEA Center, the National Association of Home Builders -- Remodelers CAPS, the National Aging in Place Council, and aging-in-place consultant Louis Tenenbaum.

Following are adaptive devices you can easily install and add to a senior's home for a combined total of about $500. Prices are approximates and may vary by vendor.

• Raised toilet seats with arms that lock onto an existing toilet provide height and support to stand. $90

• Hand-held shower nozzle slips over a tub faucet. $24

• Floor-to-ceiling grab bar provides a full range of heights to hold onto while sitting or standing up. It can be installed by the bed, in the bathroom or by a favorite chair. $150

• Lever doorknob turner adapters attach securely to a variety of round door knobs to provide leverage for easy opening. $22

• Lever handles attach to recliner chair handles to serve as an extension. $22

• Rubber ramps that are ADA compliant are often easy to install to most surfaces. Ramp can be moved from one opening to another. $36

• Mobile stools are particularly useful to help seniors navigate a kitchen. $100.• Home Instead Senior Care: www.homeinstead.com

• SUNY Buffalo School of Architecture IDEA Center; www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/Home/index.asp. Call 716-829-3485, ext. 329, or contact idea@ap.buffalo.edu for technical assistance.

• National Association of Home Builders--Remodelers: www.nahb.org/remodel

• National Aging in Place Council: www.naipc.org (To find out how to use a reverse mortgage to fund a home remodeling project, visit www.reversemortgage.org)

• Aging-in-place consultant Louis Tenenbaum: www.louistenenbaum.com

For adaptive devices:

• www.dynamic-living.com

• www.Elderluxe.com

• www.beyondbarriers.com