An uncontrollable fire can happen anywhere at any time striking with such swiftness that there's little time to get occupants away from the flames let alone save any personal belongings. Although a devastating fire in any particular home is unlikely, there are a few things we should do to be ever watchful.
What should we do to prepare
for the possibility of a fire?
Here are some
basic ideas that everyone should consider.
First of all, you must drill into every family
member to leave a burning home. Children
often make no attempt to escape at all. They
lock themselves in closets or hide under beds
waiting for someone to rescue them. Other fire
victims don't try to get out because they
underestimate the killing power and speed
of fire. No matter how insignificant a fire
seems, evacuate everyone and call the
fire department.
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Children are subject to panic and
bewilderment in fires. Psychologists have
shown that the only way to prevent panic
is to know what you are going to do
before an emergency occurs. This
concept has been proven by the fact that
thousands of pupils, routinely drilled, have
calmly walked away from burning school
buildings.
• Eliminate fire hazards around the
house.
• Teach every family member safe fire
habits in daily life.
• Install a smoke detector system.
• Be sure that everyone knows exactly
what to do in case of fire.
•Keep a fire extinguisher and teach everyone how to use it.
•Keep your home clean especially around heat producing devices such as stoves, water heaters and clothes dryers.
•Don't overload electrical circuits.
•Never put an extension cord under a rug.
•Do not leave small children alone.
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•Insure all bedroom windows open easily and occupants know how to get out. Have a chain ladder available inside the room if it's above the ground floor.
•Conduct fire drills quarterly and ensure everyone knows where to meet away from the building.
•Store matches and combustibles away from children.
•Insure baby sitters know your emergency fire plan.
•Teach children to 'stop, drop and roll.'
•Post emergency numbers on or near the telephone.
•Never re-enter a burning building. Flames literally explode through rooms as they become superheated.
•Use a neighbor's phone, not your own, to call the fire department.
•Never open a door in a burning house without first feeling the door to see if it's hot.
•Should you become trapped inside a room, stuff clothes or sheets in door cracks and vents.
•In a smoke filled room get down on the floor where the smoke is thinner. Use wet cloths to cover your face.
•Close doors and windows when leaving. This slows down the fire's rate of burning.
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