Fire Safety/Injury Prevention

Fire Facts

1. Fast
2. Hot
3. Dark
4. Deadly

Fast

Fueled by home insulation, building materials and furnishings, fire is fast. In the seconds it takes to start, to just a few minutes later, a fire can completely engulf a home. At the first sign of fire, escape!

Hot

The heat given off from fire is more dangerous then the flame. In fact the heat from a fire can kill. At ground level fire heat can be 100 degrees and rise to 600 degrees mid-room. Heat at these levels can melt cloths to your body and scorch your lungs when inhaled.

Dark

Most think of fire as bright light. While a fire may start light it quickly produces black smoke. This smoke will easily disorientate you even if you lived in your home for years.

Deadly

Smoke inhalation kills more people in a fire than does the actual flame. Fire is fueled by the oxygen that you need. In return for oxygen, fire releases black smoke and gases. The smoke and gases can over take you in minutes causing shortness of breath, disorientation, and drowsiness.

What To Do In a Fire

• Any sign of fire, don’t panic, and get outside.
• Crawl on the floor to nearest door.   If door is closed, feel near upper door, check if it is hot.  If hot or smoke is coming in from underneath of door, do not open the door.  The fire maybe right outside the door.  Escape from another route.
• If you leave by the door, close it behind you to slow down the spread of the fire.
• If you cannot escape via door, try window.
• If window height does not allow for escape, open and yell for help.
• Keep down close to ground and breath through cloth to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Never run if cloths start on fire.  Remember “Stop-Drop-Roll” to smother the flames.
• Apartment living?  No elevator, take the stairs.
• After escape, never re-enter.
• Meet family members at planned location.
• Phone emergency response after escape.
• Inform fire fighters of any family members not out or pets that may be in the home.

Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

• Use smoke detectors.  Place on every floor level in your home and near sleep areas.
• Check smoke detector batteries once a month. 
• Replace smoke detectors every 5 years or per manufactures recommendations.
• Establish a home escape plan.  Allow for alternate route in case fire blocks some routes.  Review escape route(s) with family members every 3 months.
• Designate a meeting place for family members to meet at after escape.
• Routinely check house for worn electrical cords.
• Don’t over load electrical outlets.

Fire Prevention Checklist

• Keep lighters and matches up high and out of reach of children.
• Teach children never to play with stoves, matches, or lighters.
• Teach children that any found lighters/matches should be given to an adult immediately.
• Teach children not to hide under beds or in closets in a fire.
• Teach children how to “Stop, Drop and Roll”.
• Teach/practice escape routes with children.
• Practice safety with fire ladders in windows if needed.
• Teach family members to stay calm, to yell out that they are okay and getting out if caught in a fire.
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed.  A closed door can slow nighttime fires.
• Never leave stove unattended while in use.
• Keep space heaters distanced from furniture and curtains.
• Turn off space heaters when not home.
• Do not use space heaters as a dryer.  Never place items on or near heater to dry.