FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR HOME, WORK, OR SCHOOL
Safety begins at Home (below quick tips) - further reading -> Safety Home & Work
| Escape Plan | | Cooking | | Electrical | | Chimney | | Things to Remember | | Smoke Detectors |
| Other Equipment - Fire Extinguishers - Flashlights - Cell Phone - Ladders - Garden Hose - Fire Proof Safe/Box |
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Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
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Have at least one operating smoke detector.
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Have a working fire extinguisher.
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Smokers always use a proper ash tray.
Have an escape plan that includes:
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Two different ways out.
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Someone assigned to help those that need help getting out.
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Someone assigned to call 911.
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A meeting place for everyone once they get out.
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Practice fire drills regularly using your escape plan.
Be careful while cooking and remember:
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Never leave cooking unattended.
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Wear clothes with short, roll-up, or tight-fitting sleeves.
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For each pot or pan you use, have its lid out to cover it.
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Keep the cooking areas clear of combustibles.
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Turn pot and pan handles inward on the stove so they can't be bumped.
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Keep small children away from the cooking area while in use.
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Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
Use electricity safely and remember:
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Avoid using extension cords where possible.
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Never run extension cords under rugs or carpet.
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Replace any frayed or cracked extension cords.
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Don't tamper with your fuse box or use improper-size fuses.
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If any electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, and don't use it until checked or repaired.
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Have your chimney cleaned regularly to prevent chimney fires. If you have a fire in your fireplace, always close the screen or doors.
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Always empty your fireplace ashes in a metal container, and set them away from the house or anything that will burn.
THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE A FIRE!
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Have an Evacuation Plan & Practice Often
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GET OUT of the House or building and STAY OUT!
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Crawl low under the smoke.
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Feel doors with the back of your hand for heat, before opening.
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Open doors slowly and be ready to close them if heat or fire is on the otherside them.
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Once out of the house or building, DON'T GO BACK IN FOR ANY REASON!
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Once outside go to a phone/use cell phone and call 911 to report the fire.
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If your clothes catch on fire: S, DROP, and ROLL until the fire goes out and cover your face with your hands.
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Close any doors you safely can as you are leaving the house or building.
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Where the fire is located in the house or building.
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If known type fire, if additional hazards such as munitions, fuels, etc.
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If anyone is still in the house or building and where they might be located.
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Any hazards that might be in the house or building.
The MOST important piece of fire safety equipment that you should have in your home is the SMOKE DETECTOR. Since Smoke Detectors were introduced in the early 1970’s, they have been responsible for reducing the number of fire related deaths in the United States by one-half. Smoke Detectors do work. You should never go to sleep without a Smoke Detector protecting you and your family.
There are two types of smoke detectors: Ionization Smoke Detectors and Photoelectric Smoke Detectors.
The Ionization Smoke Detector is the most well known. It is basically, a large nose which sniffs the air 24 hours a day. When it smells smoke, even smoke that is invisible, it will sound an alarm. Ionization Smoke Detectors can operate with a battery, or be wired into your home’s wiring. Fire Codes in most areas of the United States now require smoke detectors anywhere where people sleep. Ionization Smoke Detectors are VERY inexpensive.
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors use a beam of light and an electronic eye to "see smoke." If smoke enters the smoke detector, it will pass in front of the eye, which will then alert you. These are a little more expensive than the Ionization Smoke Detector.
Smoke Detectors should be installed in all hallways and bedrooms in your home. Smoke detector devices should bear the Underwriters Laboratories seal. We recommend you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Battery operated smoke detectors should be replaced twice a year. Choose a specific date like the change of daylight saving time or perhaps a holiday. If the device makes a chirping sound it is usually a low battery indicator or the smoke sensor wearing out. If the detector alarm Smoke detectors have a test button which can be pressed to test if the battery is working. You could also use this test button to conduct a fire drill with your family. We recommend you conduct a fire drill with you family once a year.
Fire Extinguishers: One should be in the kitchen and one for each auto. When you mount your fire extinguisher, mount it at a door which leads to or from your kitchen, the place where most fires start. Do Not Mount Over The Stove. When you purchase a fire extinguisher, make sure it states it is a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher and will put out CLASS A (paper, wood, grass), CLASS B (flammable liquids like cooking grease, gas, oil) and CLASS C (electrical equipment like a fuse box or TV set). This is the best type of fire extinguisher for the average home.
Flashlights: Make sure you have plenty of flashlights. When there is a fire in your home, chances are the electricity will be off.
Cellular or Wireless Phone: So you can call 9-1-1 from outside the building in a safe place. If you do not have a cell phone or wireless phone, go to a neighbors or flag down a passer-by, BUT GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND STAY OUT - DO NOT GO BACK IN FOR ANYTHING
Keep A Garden Hose hooked up outside with a nozzle.
Escape Ladders are available at most department stores for people who sleep above the first floor. This is a must if you have children.
A Fire-Proof Safe Or Letter Box which is available at many office supply stores. Keep important papers such as Insurance Policies and an extra set of car keys and medical information inside. This is important information you will need after the fire.
