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Fire Safety and Prevention

Protecting your family from fires requires advance planning for what to if there is a fire. This includes the use of protective devices, such as smoke detectors to provide early warning of fire, especially at night. 

Most house fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of injuries from fire. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded cigarettes, sparks from fireplaces and heating appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles.

Most victims of fire succumb to the smoke and toxic gases and not to burns. Fire produces poisonous gases that can spread rapidly and far from the fire itself to claim victims who are asleep and not even aware of the fire.

Children playing with matches or lighters is a leading cause of house fires and one in which the children and others present are often hurt. Children have a natural curiosity about fire and are tempted to play with matches or lighters. Even though children are curious about fire, they may become frightened and confused in a fire and hide rather than escape to safety. Children are often found hiding in closets or under beds where they feel safe. It is crucial to discuss with your children the dangers of fire.

Clothing fires are a significant cause of fire injuries to children (and to adults too). They set their clothes on fire by getting to close to heat sources such as open fires or stoves, or when playing with matches or lighters. Here too, the best defense is a respect for fire and training in what to do if their clothes do catch fire. Their natural reaction is to run - which will make the situation worse. STOP, DROP and ROLL is taught as the correct action and has saved many lives in clothing fires. The moment clothes start to burn, stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and roll repeatedly to smother the flames.

The risk of death from fire for Americans age 65 and over is two times greater than the risk for adults under 65, and hospital stays of more than 40 days are common for older burn victims. Thus, older people need to be especially careful with fire. People can become victims of fire by falling asleep smoking, either in bed or in a favorite chair, especially after consuming alcohol or taking medication. Ashtrays emptied before smoldering materials are completely out also start a number of fires in homes of smokers. Cooking is a major cause of fire injuries among older persons when loose fitting clothing is ignited as the wearer reaches over a hot burner, or slips and falls onto the stove.

One of the most important fire safety devices for the home is the smoke detector. After becoming generally available in the early 1970's, home smoke detector sales grew rapidly and the price fell, so that by 1991, almost 90% of the homes in the United States had at least one smoke detector, and they could be purchased for under $10.

Several studies have concluded that when working smoke detectors are present, the chance of dying from the fire was reduced by half. The smoke alarms currently in place have saved thousands of lives, but several problems exist. Twelve percent of the homes without detectors have more than half of the fires. It is also estimated that a third of the smoke detectors in homes are not working, often due to the fact that a worn out battery is not replaced. Another problem is that many homes do not have as many smoke detectors as are needed to protect the occupants properly. To be fully protected and be in compliance with state laws, it is required that a smoke detector is placed inside and outside each bedroom and a smoke detector placed on all levels of the home including the basement.

   ONCE YOU'RE OUT, STAY OUT

Once you have made your way out of a burning building, STAY out! Go to a safe place (preferably prearranged) far enough away from the building in case of explosion or collapse and perform a head count of those who were in the building with you (family members or co-workers). If someone is missing, it is critical that you inform arriving Fire Personnel. Tell them who and how many people are missing and where they were last seen. DO NOT GO BACK IN AND TRY TO FIND THOSE MISSING!

Seek medical care if you are others who escaped from the burning building are injured. Keep in mind that the symptoms of lack of oxygen and/or exposure to toxic gases can closely resemble those of alcohol intoxication. Get immediate medical attention for them.

Seek shelter from the elements in a safe neighboring building, especially in the cold, rain, and extreme heat.

If you are not going to remain in the building, make sure your property is secure. Ensure the police are aware of the building being unattended. Lock up or board up open windows and doors.

What is E.D.I.T.H.?

Most fatal home fires happen between midnight and 8:00 a.m. when most people are asleep. When your smoke detector sounds, you may have less than 2 1/2 minutes to get out. Without an escape plan you have practiced, you may not make it. E.D.I.T.H. stands for Exit Drills In The Home.

PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE

    The Floor Plan

• Draw an outline of your home or apartment. Make a drawing for each floor where people sleep. Dimensions don't need to be exact.

• Add each bedroom and label it. Show important details: stairs, hallways, roofs that could be used as a fire escape.

• Choose a family meeting place and show it on the plan.

    Inspection Time

• Check each bedroom for the best window or door for an emergency escape.

• Test windows - make sure they open easily and are large enough and low enough. Can the children open them? 

• While you are at it, check your smoke detector. If you do not have one, get one.

    Finish Your Escape Plan

• Use one color arrows to show the normal way out, such as the stairs or hall.

• Use a different colored arrows to show emergency exits in case fire blocks your normal route. 

THE FAMILY MEETING

    Discuss Your Plan and Procedures

• Always sleep with bedroom doors closed. This will keep heat and smoke out for a short time - the few extra minutes you may need to escape. 

• Find a way for everyone to sound a family fire alarm. Blow a whistle, pound on walls, yell, etc.

• In a fire, seconds count. Don't waste time getting dressed, looking for valuables or your pets. 

• Roll out of bed and stay low. 

• Feel the door. If the door or doorknob is hot, DO NOT open it! Instead, use your second way out.

• Once outside, go to your family meeting place. Make sure everyone is safe. Remember, once you are out, stay out!

• Call the Fire Department from a neighbor's home. 

THE DRILL

• Begin with everyone in his or her bed.

• Sound the alarm. Press the smoke detector test button. Yell FIRE! or use another type of signal.

• Everyone should roll out of bed, stay low and feel the door for heat. On the first drill, use the normal exit. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly, ready to shut it quickly if there is heat or smoke. For the second drill, pretend doors are hot. Everyone must use the second way out. 

• Gather at meeting place and check that everyone is out.

• Appoint someone to simulate calling the fire department.

• Get together and talk about how your drill plan worked or how it should change and rehearse them.

• Hold a family escape drill every few months - at least twice a year. The more you practice, the better you will be able to act quickly and automatically in a fire emergency.