Home Fire Safety

More people die every year in home fires than in any other occupancy. The place where you should feel most secure, your own home, is often the most dangerous place to be related to the ravages of fire. Every year more than 4,000 Americans die in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. There are some simple precautions you can take as a homeowner or renter and it is important for you to understand fire and how it affects you and your families.

Every day Americans experience the horror of fire but most people don’t understand it. Only when we know its true nature can we prepare ourselves and our families to be safe from the devastating effects of fires. Every year more than 6,500 Americans die and more than 30,000 are injured in fires, many of which could have been prevented. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner believes that home fire deaths can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts about fire safety. This site contains some simple information that explains the characteristics and nature of fire and offers information related to fire safety to helps you understand the occurrence and impact of fire in your home and how to protect yourself from fire.

Understanding Fire

FIRE IS FAST!………. There is little time to react and make a safe escape.
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can grow to a huge blaze. Most fires occur when people are asleep, and if you awake to a fire, you won’t have time to grab valuables. There may only be time to escape.

FIRE IS HOT!………. Heat is more threatening than flames.
A fire’s heat can kill. Room temperatures can be 100 degrees at the floor and over 600 degrees at eye level. Super heated air will burn your lungs and melt clothing to your skin. In five minutes a room will flashover, which means everything that can burn will ignite. You cannot survive a flashover.

FIRE IS DARK!………. Fire isn’t bright, its pitch black.
Fire starts bright but quickly produces thick black smoke and complete darkness. You may be blinded, disoriented, and unable to escape the home you’ve lived in for years.

FIRE IS DEADLY!………. Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
Fire uses up oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless carbon monoxide produced by all burning can lull you into a deep sleep before flames reach you. You may not wake up in time to escape.

Daily Fire Safety

FIRE SAFETY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE
An overwhelming number of fires occurring in America occur in our homes…..One every 45 seconds. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It’s not a question of luck; it’s a matter of planning ahead. Here are some general concepts about what you must do to keep from becoming a statistic.

CARING FOR CHILDREN

• Children under 5 are naturally curious about fire and many play with matches and lighters.
• Children tragically cause over 100,000 fires yearly.
• Take the mystery out of fire – Teach kids that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• If your child engages in fire-setting activity, refer him or her to a juvenile firesetter intervention program.

 CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS

• Over age 65 is the fastest growing population segment.
• 1,200 senior citizens die every year in fires; many fire deaths could have been prevented.
• Home fires injure 3,000 each year.
• Smoking is a leading cause of fire deaths.
• Cooking fires are leading cause of injuries.

Smoke Alarms

EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE WORKING SMOKE ALARM.
They are inexpensive protection for your family that doubles the chances of survival.

SMOKE ALARM DO’S AND DON’T’S

• Test alarms monthly; keep them free of dust and replace the battery at least once each year.
• Replace all smoke alarm devices after 10 years.
• Install alarms on every level of your home, next to every sleeping area and inside every bedroom.
• Never “borrow” a smoke alarm battery for some other use.
• Make sure everyone knows the sound of an alarm.
• Plan your escape route and agree on a meeting place outside.

 SMOKE ALARM ACTION PLAN

• Seconds count, plan and practice your escape before a fire occurs. Drill twice yearly with the whole family.
• Know two ways out of every room.
• When the alarm sounds, get out fast! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s house.
• Once out, stay out!

Kitchen Fire Safety

• Do not leave stovetop cooking unattended, especially when hot oil or frying in involved.
• Wear tight fitting or short-sleeve clothing; bulky sleeves can be ignited by burners.
• Keep towels, potholders, paper and anything else that can burn away.
• If you have a grease fire, turn off the burner and cover the pan with a lid to cut off oxygen to the fire. Let the pan cool before removing the lid. Never try to take a burning pan to the sink and NEVER use water on a grease fire. Use a fire extinguisher only if you know how.
• Do not fill fryers more than 1/3 full for deep frying.
• Keep stove and oven clean.
• Turn pot handles away from front.
• Don’t use oven to heat home; it can become overheated and cause a fire.
• For an oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed until the fire is out and the oven cools.
• Keep a portable fire extinguisher readily available.
• Unplug counter-top electrical appliances when not in use.

Candle Fire Safety Fires caused by the use of candles in our homes have increased dramatically over the last two decades. Sales of candles are up, $2.3 billion in 2001 and it is estimated that 7 of 10 homes use candles today. Candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in residential structures, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in estimated direct property damage each year. Over half (55%) of home candle fires start because the candle is too close to some combustible material. More candle fires (38%) begin in the bedroom than in any other room. Falling asleep is a factor in 12% of home candle fires and 26% of the associated deaths. Half of all civilian candle fire deaths occur between Midnight and 6am. December is the peak month for candle fires; Christmas is the peak day. Young children and older adults have the highest death risk from candle fires. The risk of a fatal candle fire appears higher when candles are used for light.  CANDLE FIRE SAFETY RULES Some simple fire safety rules related to the use of candles can significantly reduce the possibility of a devastating fire in your home. Allow nothing that can burn within a one foot safety circle around a burning candle. Don’t put candles in windows near blinds or curtains. Never put candles near Christmas trees, decorations, clothing or paper. Trim all candle wicks to ¼ inch; put out the candle when it burns down to 2 inches high. Always extinguish candles after use, when leaving the room, and when going to bed. Keep candles out of children’s and pets reach. (Keep matches and lighters away too!) Use sturdy metal or glass holders that won’t tip over, that are big enough to collect melted wax. NEVER LEAVE LIGHTED CANDLES UNATTENDED, and burn candles only with constant adult supervision. Keep away from flammable liquids as the flame can ignite fumes. Flashlights are safer than candles during power failure. Avoid carrying lit candle and don’t use a lighted candle in a closet looking for things. Never use a candle for light while refueling equipment with kerosene or gas. The flame will ignite fumes.

Smoking Fire Safety

Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of fire deaths among the elderly.

• NEVER smoke in bed.
• Do not smoke near gas stove or oxygen.
• Do not smoke while using medications or alcohol.
• Never leave smoking materials unattended.
• Use large, deep ashtrays.
• Check furniture for discarded smoking materials.
• Soak ashes in the ashtray before discarding.
• Never throw butts in trash can or out car windows.
• Don’t smoke near gasoline, aerosols, cleaning fluid, and paint thinners.

 

Electrical Fire Safety THE PROBLEM Home appliance and wiring fires account for 50,000 fires, 200 deaths, $675 million property loss. Some fires are caused by system failure or defects, more by misuse and poor maintenance, overloaded circuits and misuse of extension cords. In urban areas, cords and plugs are primary causes. 30% of home electrical wiring fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, overloaded circuits, poor maintenance and running cords under rugs or through high traffic areas. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom and wiring causes twice as many fires as appliances. December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires.  FIRE PREVENTION Routinely check and replace worn, old or damaged cords and wiring. Don’t overload extension cords; they are not a substitute for fixed wiring. Don’t bend, coil, staple, or place cords under rugs or furniture and don’t walk on cords. Don’t overload any circuit, properly size circuit fuses, breakers. Don’t force three-prong plugs into two-slot outlet or extension cords. Look for the UL label on all electrical equipment and appliances. Keep electrical appliances away from water and don’t allow children to use or play with electrical appliances like irons and hair dryers. Unplug all appliances while away from home.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are a “band-aid” approach to fire suppression and are not intended to be used on large, uncontrolled fires. You must evaluate the conditions and determine if you can safely use a portable fire extinguisher or immediately escape the situation. Never position yourself with the fire between you and your means of escape. If you do use a portable fire extinguisher, and have extinguished a fire, never turn your back on the fire as it can flare up again unexpectedly. Back away from the fire, observing it closely

• For home use, look for portable fire extinguishers with an “ABC” rating on the label. They can be used for most home fires including ordinary combustible materials, flammable liquids and electrical fires.
• Put portable fire extinguishers in your kitchen, garage, basement and car in a location where they can be readily accessed.
• Learn how to operate fire extinguishers and use them on a fire. Check with your local fire department for training.
• Have fire extinguishers serviced yearly by a reputable fire extinguisher dealer.