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Protect Yourself With Fire Safety Tips

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Contributed by: Calvin Gipson on 10/12/2006

Fires kill over 4,000 people a year. Cigarettes are another leading cause of house fires. Most often the fires start when a cigarette was dropped on to furniture like beds, sofas, or chairs. In case of a fire it is crucial for your family's safety, that everyone knows what to do. This is part 2 of 2 on fire safety. I would like to give you and your family safety tips and information on what to do in case of an actual fire.

Fire Safety Part 2

Did you know:

In only 3 1/2 minutes, the heat from a house fire can reach over 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature can reach over 300 degrees in rooms that are not even on fire; this is hot enough to melt plastic and kill the people in those rooms.

Fire produces gases and fumes that can make you sleepy, weak, and confused. You can't smell these fumes, so if you are asleep the smell won't wake you, but a smoke alarm will.

Unlike fires in the movies, the smoke from a house fire can be so thick that your house would be completely dark in four minutes, even with all the lights on!

Heating devices such as heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces, is a leading cause of house fires in Oklahoma. Most often the fires start when something like furniture, boxes, or clothing was too near the heat source.

Cigarettes are a leading cause of house fires. Most often the fires start when a cigarette was dropped on to furniture like beds, sofas, or chairs.

Children playing with fire cause many injuries and house fires every year.
Two out of three people who die in house fires were asleep when the fire began.

Smoke alarms increase the chances of surviving a house fire by two to three times.

Install a smoke alarm just outside the sleeping areas.

Never remove the battery from the smoke alarm.

Change the smoke alarm's battery once a year or when the alarm chirps.

Smoke alarms are a cheap and effective way to prevent house fire injuries.

Some children run and hide when the smoke alarm sounds a house fire warning.

Making and practicing a house fire escape plan helps everyone get out safe.

Always know two ways out of every room (i.e., window and door).

Crawl low under smoke to a safe exit.

Use the back of the hand to test if a closed door is hot. If it is hot, use another way out.

Everyone meet at a previously designated meeting place outside the home.
Call 911 from a neighbor's home.

Never go back inside a burning home to get anything such as clothes or pets.

Fire Safety Tips atWork

• Know your building evacuation plan
• Know your designated meeting place
• Know where your fire extinguishers are located
• Know whom to contact in case of an emergency

At Home

Install atleast one smoke detector on each floor of your home.
• Vacuum smoke detectors monthly to keep them dust free.
• Have regular fire drills at home with everyone participating.
• Have a planned evacuation plan from each room in your home; always having an alternate route for each room.
• Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. If you smoke, never light a cigarette while in bed.
• Check all electrical outlets on a routine basis.
• Never leave your cooking unattended.
• Give space heaters space, at least 1 meter (3 feet) from anything that can burn.
• Remember matches and lighters are tools, not toys.

General Safety

• Observe smoking rules and remind others to do the same.
• Inspect your work area and equipment frequently.
• Report any unsafe conditions (frayed cords, wires hot to the touch, smell of smoke, etc.)
• Dispose of trash and other flammable and products properly.
• Keep exits and hallways clear of trash, boxes, etc.
• Use extra caution around gas, flammables and oxygen equipment.
• Cool a burn by running cool water over it for about 10-15 minutes, if the burn blisters or is charred see a physician. Never use ice.
• In case of a fire, crawl low under the smoke, this will prevent inhalation of fire smoke and poisonous gasses.

POP QUIZ

Let's test your knowledge. Answer each question True or False.

1. If your clothes catch on fire, run as fast as you can to let the air put the fire out.

2. Small grease fires can be smothered with baking soda.

3. Security gates and window guards should open from the outside so the firemen can get in.

4. A fire extinguisher marked "ABC" can be used for wood, paper, flammable liquid and electrical fires.

If you catch on fire always remember to Stop! Drop! & Roll!

answers: 1.F, 2.T, 3.F, 4.T

Remember, Life is precious. Protect it!

By,

Calvin Gipson

Go to www.SecurityMegaStore.com and subscribe to our monthly Safety Watch Newsletter - FREE ONLINE - A $147 VALUE! It's packed full of security and safety information you can use to protect yourself and your family.

Contact Information:

Tel: 818-219-4165 Email: info@securitymegastore.com

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