Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness
September
2023 – Home Fire Safety
Week #1—Teach Children Fire Safety
Review basic fire safety with your children and
grandchildren so they will know how to…
·
Call 911 (only in
an emergency)
·
Stop,
Drop, and Roll (if clothes catch fire)
·
Crawl on floor to
avoid smoke
·
Recognize what fire
alarms sound like
For
a free 16 page fire safety activity book, click here.
Week #2—Smoke and CO Detectors
Install
smoke detectors at top of stairs, by bedrooms, and in basement. Install carbon
monoxide detectors by your kitchen and furnace.
· Check batteries twice a year
· Replace detectors every 10 years
If
an alarm sounds, move quickly outside or to an open window. Call for help and stay
by fresh air until help arrives.
Week #3—Fire Extinguishers
Have
large fire extinguishers that handle ABC fires (wood, gas, electrical) in
kitchen, garage, and bedrooms. Know how to pull the pin. Aim retardant at the
base of fire in a sweeping motion.
Check
the fullness gage every year. Dispose of empty fire extinguishers at a toxic material drop off (locations).
Week #4—Check for Fire Hazards
Inspect
your home for fire hazards and resolve any issues found. For a 3-minute video click here.
·
Pick an outdoor
meeting place
·
House number is
easy to see at night
·
Inspect and clean
furnace, chimney, and wood stoves
·
Fire escape plan,
with two ways to exit every room
·
Photograph
valuables for insurance and store them offsite
·
Cooking Safety:
o
Stay nearby while
cooking
o
Supervise children
while cooking
o
Keep cookware handles
pointing in over stove
·
Combustible
Safety:
o
Keep matches,
lighters, candles out of reach of children
o
Store flammable
liquids away from your home
o
Stack firewood
away from your home
·
Space Heater
Safety:
o
Keep three feet
away from anything that can catch fire
o
Use non-glowing electric
heaters with auto shut-off
o
Turn off when you
leave the room
·
Electrical
Safety:
o
Do not overload
power outlets
o
Covers on all
electrical outlets
o
No exposed wiring
·
Smoking Safety
o
Most home fires
are caused by negligent smoking
o
Do not
smoke in bed, while drowsy, or medicated
o
Do not
smoke where oxygen is used
o
Use deep, sturdy
ashtrays
Home Fire Survival Guide
Keep the following information in your
72-hour kit or on your cell phone so you can easily find it during an
emergency.
·
Yell, “Fire!”
several times to alert others.
·
Get out fast. Do not
stay inside to fight the fire or collect valuables.
·
Stay low and
crawl on the floor to avoid breathing smoke. Smoke is much more dangerous than flames. This is because there is so
much toxic plastic in homes these days.
·
If a doorknob is
hot, do not open it.
·
If you cannot get
out, close the door, cover the bottom of the door with a towel, and call for
help from a window.
·
Call 911 after
you are outside.
·
Go to your
meeting area.
·
Do not go
back inside for any reason. Many people are overcome by smoke trying to rescue
others, pets, or possessions. Let firefighters rescue anyone who needs help.
·
Do not
reenter a damaged home, until you are told it is safe to do so.
·
If your clothes
catch fire...
o
STOP
what you are doing.
o
DROP
to the ground and cover your face.
o
ROLL
over and over until the flames go out.
·
Cool burned skin
with water for 3 – 5 minutes.
·
Seek medical
treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
·
Remain calm. Get
adequate rest.
·
Eat healthy. Stay
hydrated.
·
Feeling tired,
frustrated, sad, worried, and having trouble sleeping are normal.
·
Set priorities,
pace yourself, and stay positive.
·
While cleaning
up, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, good boots, work gloves, and a face
mask.
·
Discard food,
beverages, and medicine exposed to heat.
·
Document damage
for insurance.
