ABOUT FIRES
There are four major causes of home fires, they are as follows:
ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS: Plugging too many appliances into an outlet may cause wires to overheat and circuits or fuses to trip. You should remember that if the breakers trip that there is a reason. You can consider it a warning to you! Replacing a blown fuse with a new fuse of higher amperage may also cause overheating of the wires resulting in an electrical fire. If your fuses are blowing (or breakers are tripping) repeatedly have your wires checked by a electrician. Frayed and cu electrical cords should not be used and can cause shocks. Replace them. Also if an appliance emits unusual odors or smoke do not use it.
DEFECTIVE OR MISUSED HEATING EQUIPMENT: When heating systems are pushed beyond what they can handle there is a possibility of fire. Clean and inspect your fireplace each year. Wood burning systems MUST be cleaned annually. When taking the ashes out of the hearth make sure there are no live coals in the ashes.
CIGARETTES: Smoking is listed as a significant factor in accidents involving fires. NEVER smoke in bed before going to sleep. A bed, ( couch or chair included for naps) may catch on fire, Make sure butts are completely out before dumping them in ash tray. (I suggest at least a 15 minute wait. if anything is still burning then you should smell it).DO NOT USE YOUR WASTEBASKET AS AN ASHTRAY! I had a friend that had to replace about a basket a month because of this. He finally learned his lesson when he lost his favorite chair and had his computer desk seriously damaged. Luckily his computer suffered minimal smoke damage.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS: This includes gasoline, paint products. cleaning products, kerosene, spot removers and turpentine. These can produce fumes that can ignite if exposed to external heat or open flame.
TO avoid the possibility of inflammable liquids exploding:
Do not store liquids in closed areas such as car trunks, basement rooms or garage cabinets.
Liquids should not be stored in unmarked containers.
Properly dispose of rags, newspaper, cardboard, or other material that may have absorbed dangerous liquids, they are readily combustible.
According to the red cross there are more than 2 million residential fires a year that results in over 6,000 deaths.
Fire is one of the most common disasters. Take the information here seriously. It may save someone's life, maybe yours or a loved one.
A key factor in the reduction of fire related injuries is the development of a fire evacuation plan. This plan has been discussed in another snippet located here Emergency Plan . All individuals that live in the residence should be familiar with the rules to follow during an evacuation and the actual route. You should periodically practice using the escape route.
BASIC STEPS IN A FIRE EVACUATION PLAN
THESE STEPS SHOULD BE USED WITH THE RELATIVE PART OF THE EMERGENCY PLAN
USE THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE TO LEAVE THE RESIDENCE
STAY CLOSE TO THE FLOOR
TAKE SHORT BREATHS
COVER FACE AND HAIR WITH WET CLOTH
Never open hot doors. Touch the door before you open it. A hot door is a sign that fire is on the other side.
Close all doors and windows when leaving a room.
meet in the selected place marked in your emergency plan and make sure everyone is accounted for.
DO NOT re-enter the building until the fire department says it is safe.
CALL 911 FROM ANOTHER LOCATION TO REPORT THE FIRE, DO NOT RE-ENTER HOME TO MAKE THE CALL!
Smoke detectors help save hundreds of lives each year. You should have detectors installed in your residence. They should be checked often to assure they are in working order.
Here are a few tips as to where to install your smoke detectors in case you need assistance.
Detectors should be placed either on the ceiling or directly below the ceiling. The best places to mount a detector is in halls, bedrooms, and the tops and bottoms of stairways.
Be sure to mount detectors in high risk areas like the kitchen and rooms with fireplaces.
Batteries should be checked regularly and regardless, replace them at least once a year.
Fire extinguishers should be placed in easily accessible locations within the home. Be sure to place one in the kitchen, but be sure to place the right one in the right location. There are four basic types of extinguishers, A, B, C, and ABC. and are rated for the type of fires they extinguish. the ratings are for:
Chemical fires
Oil based fires
celluloid based fires
The best all round extinguisher is the ones rated ABC.
For questions about fire extinguishers call your fire department, They will be able to assist you.
| Fires must be reported
as soon as possible. The longer you wait the less the chance the
fire will be contained. (6-8 minutes)
Call 911 but ONLY AFTER you are all out of the house. Do not go back in to make the call, use a cell phone or a neighbors phone. When you report a fire:
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| Follow basic first aid procedures when
dealing with people that have been burned.
Cool the burn with water to help alleviate the pain until help arrives, DO NOT burst any blisters. Blisters are the bodies way of protecting the burned skin. To prevent infection be sure to wash hands. If it is available use the antibacterial hand sanitizer to kill gems before working on any wound.
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If you have a multi story home be sure to purchase rope or chain ladders to climb out of the upper windows. If you cant find one buy rope and make yourself a ladder.
Be sure to discuss what you are going to do with family pets in case you need to evacuate because of fire (or any other disaster) .
Be sure to get everyone out quickly, After that you call the fire department.
Here is a checklist for your use.
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