Home Fire Prevention
October 5-11 is fire prevention week and Kristin Calderwood from Home Depot shows us ways to keep our families safe from fire danger.
Before an emergency ever strikes you want your family to know what to do. Families should have an emergency plan in place and practice escape routes so everyone gets out safely.
In addiction to education, there are several products on the market to help you be prepared in the event of a fire.
Smoke Detectors
There are two basic types of devices based upon different smoke detection technologies, photoelectric and ionization. While each type detects smoke and alerts you to potential fires, the technology each one uses is suited to better recognize different types of fires. Because you cannot predict what type of fire might occur in your home, it is best to purchase both types or to purchase a device containing both sensors.
It’s important to keep your smoke detectors operational. Experts suggest you change the batteries twice a year. Daylight savings time is a great time to do it—when you set your clocks back, change your smoke detector batteries too.
Escape Ladders
It’s a good idea to keep escape ladders accessible to exit upper levels of your home in the event of a fire. They come in different lengths and range in price from $40 to $300.
Fire Extinguishers
Different types of fires require different types of extinguishers. For example, a grease fire and an electrical fire require the use of different extinguishing agents to be effective and safely put the fire out.
There are also multi-purpose fire extinguishers –that can be used on multiple types of fires.
Fire extinguishers don’t do any good unless you know how to use them. Firefighters say to remember the acronym P.A.S.S.
P = Pull the pin.A = Aim the nozzle.
S = Squeeze the handle.
S = Sweep the retardant to extinguish the flames.
American Red Cross Home Fire Safety Tips
Make Your Home Safe
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan Your Escape Routes
• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
For more information on fire prevention visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/
©2008 Four Points Media Group. All rights reserved. This material may not be published
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