Fire Safety Tips for your Home
October
5-11, 2014 is National Fire Prevention Week
So it’s
a good time to think about fire safety.
In only a matter of minutes, a small house
fire can rage out of control. Heat temperatures can reach up to 1,500°F. &
thick black smoke can quickly fill the house making it difficult to see and emitting
carbon monoxide gas. Along with
installing smoke detectors in your home, you should have multi-purpose fire extinguishers (type ABC) in areas
accessible to the kitchen, utility rooms and garage. Walk your family through a fire drill
so everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of fire. Practice the fire escape plan regularly.
Every room in the house should have at least two escape exits. If one of these is a window from a second story, install ladders that can be dropped from the windows. Make sure everyone knows where the family will reunite outside the home so you know everyone got out safely.
Every room in the house should have at least two escape exits. If one of these is a window from a second story, install ladders that can be dropped from the windows. Make sure everyone knows where the family will reunite outside the home so you know everyone got out safely.
If you live or work in a high-rise building, locate the
fire exits on your floor. If an alarm sounds, remember that you should always
use the fire stairs, not the elevator.
Safety Tips
Don't
overload electrical circuits with too many appliances. If your fuses are
blowing or your circuit breakers are popping, hire an electrician to look at
your system.
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Don't run extension cords
under rugs or carpets. The cords wear easily and may short out causing a fire.
Nails or staples used to attach
electrical cords to the walls or baseboards can damage the cords and cause fire
or shock hazards. Tape cords to walls or floors instead of using nails or
staples.
Replace frayed electrical
cords before they burn or cause a fire.
Keep combustibles away from
the furnace, which can emit flames or sparks.
An electrical outlet or switch
that is warm or hot to the touch may indicate a potentially dangerous wiring
condition. In such a situation unplug cords, avoid using switches, and call an
electrician to check the wiring.
Ceiling fixtures and recessed
lights trap heat. Since overheating can lead to fire, don't use a high-wattage
bulb in such a fixture. If you don't know the correct wattage, use a bulb of 60
or fewer watts.
Always extinguish the fire in
a fire place or wood stove before leaving the house and before going to bed.
Unplug hair dryer or any other
small appliance in the bathroom when not in use.
An electric blanket should not
be tucked in at the sides. It may overheat and start a fire.
Be sure to turn a heating pad
off before you go to sleep. It can cause burns even at a relatively low
setting.
Never leave food unattended on the stove & turn
pot & pan handles inward or toward the counter so they aren’t accidentally
knocked over.
To prevent grease fires, keep the stove clear of
anything flammable, including pot holders, napkins, and towels.
Keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of
children
Keep baking soda on hand for extinguishing kitchen
fires
To make a dry fire
extinguisher, pour 6 pounds of fine sand into a large container and add 2
pounds of baking soda. Stir the mixture thoroughly. Keep the container in your
shop, garage, or kitchen. This mixture can be sprinkled directly on small oil, grease, and petroleum fires.
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