Emergency situations - Call
911 for Fire, Police or Ambulance. Give your name, the location and the
nature of the emergency and stay on the line with the dispatcher until
instructed to hang up.
Working smoke detectors - Double your chances of surviving a fire.
One should be placed on each level of your home and outside each sleeping
area.
- Check operation monthly by
pushing the test button.
- Change your batteries when
you change your clocks.
- Keep them clean and dust
free.
- Replace the bulb (if it is
a photoelectric detector) every three years.
E.D.I.T.H - Exit Drills In The Home
is a plan you make to escape fire in your home. Fires in the home are the
cause of many deaths. In fact, 70% of all fatalaties by fire occur in
private residences. And, most of these could have been prevented if the
families had a fire escape plan and if they practiced the plan regularly.
- Draw escape plans (include
two means of escape) and post them next to the door of all bedrooms or
other rooms where children may be.
- Practice fire drills and
alternate escape routes making sure children can work all the windows,
doors and locks they may have to use to escape.
- Have a designated meeting
place outside. Count heads to be sure all are accounted for.
- Never re-enter a burning
house to try to save valuables or even to rescue a pet.
- Decide now which neighbor's
house to call the fire department from.
- Inform the arriving
firefighters if someone is trapped or missing.
Fire Extinguishers - The best type for a homeowner is an ABC Dry
Chemical extinguisher. It is capable of putting out Class A -
Combustible, Class B - Flammable Liquid/Grease, and Class C -
Electrical fires. Keep easily accessible. The most common places are the
kitchen, basement and garage (having one in each is better), Get them tested
after each discharge and annually by a licensed service company. Buy only
"listed" or "labeled" extinguishers.
Before you decide to fight the fire, follow these steps:
- Call the fire department
- Make sure everyone has
evacuated the house.
- Be certain the fire doesn't
block your escape route.
- Do Not attempt to
fight the fire if it has spread beyond it's immediate area. It's too large
and your extinguisher will last only 3 to 20 seconds.
P.A.S.S. - The fire is still small and you have decided to use your
extinguisher. Do you already know how to operate it ? After a fire has
started is not the time to learn how to use your extinguisher.
Familiarize yourself with your particular model and Remember P.A.S.S.
- Pull the pin.
- Aim at the base of
the fire.
- Squeeze the handle.
- Sweep from side to
side.
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