Fire Safety At Home

Fire safety at home.  The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters has decreased, along with the number of residential fires.

Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental heaters, it is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential fires.  These fires kill more than 600 people.  Annually there are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of carbon monoxide poisonings.

Even when you have gone through your house and eliminated many of the obvious fire hazards, you still need to have a plan for early warning and escape in case a fire does occur.

Many fire deaths and fire injuries are actually caused by smoke and gases. Victims inhale smoke and poisonous gases that rise ahead of the flames. Survival depends on being warned as early as possible and having an escape plan.

Smoke detectors

• At least one smoke detector is located on every floor of my home.
• Smoke detectors are placed near bedrooms, either on the ceiling or 6-12 inches below the ceiling on the wall.
• Smoke detectors are tested according to manufacturer’s instructions on regular bases (at least once a month) and are kept in working condition at all times.
• Batteries are replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions at least annually.
• Batteries are never disconnected.
• The detector has a distinct warning signal that can be heard whether asleep or awake.
• Test your detector monthly.
• Never disconnect a detector. Consider relocating the detector rather than disconnecting it if it is subject to nuisance alarms, e.g. from cooking.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper maintenance. Smoke detectors can save lives, but only if properly installed and maintained.

Escape plan

Planning ahead, rehearsing, thinking, and acting clearly are keys to surviving a fire.  How prepared are you?

Recommendations:

• Include small children as par of the discussion and rehearsal.  It is especially important to make sure they understand that they must escape; they can’t hide from fire under a bed or in a closet.
• Your family has an escape plan and an alternate escape plan.
• Periodically rehearse escape routes and plans.
• Establish at least two exits from each part of the house are established.
• The fire department number is posted on every telephone.

Your life and that of your family can be saved by foresight, planning, discussing and rehearsal.

Fire safety at home - be aware - be prepared.