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Fire and Life Safety
Being safe from fire in the home is no easy job. It takes a
conscious effort on the part of all members of the family, from the
youngest to the oldest, to help your family work at fire safety in
the home. We have included ten tips for home safety:
Install and maintain smoke detectors
Install at least one smoke detector on every level of your
home. There should be one outside each sleeping area. In
apartment buildings, there must be a smoke detector in each
apartment.
Install, test and maintain smoke detectors according to the
manufacturer's directions. Replace the dead batteries immediately.
The detector will emit short beeps when batteries begin to lose
power. Keep the face of the detector clean and free of dust
and cobwebs.
As a reminder you should replace smoke detector batteries when
you change your clocks forward and back.
Practice EDITH - Exit Drills in the Home
Design an escape plan for the family. Make sure
special provisions are made for infants, elderly, and handicapped
persons.
Always have two ways out of any room, in case of smoke or flames
make one way unusable. Make sure everyone knows where to go
when they get out of the house. Pick a place for everyone to
meet. Never go back into a building that is on fire.
A match is a tool
Matches and lighters are tools for adults. Keep them where
children cannot reach them. Teach children to give matches and
lighters to adults.
Stop, Drop and Roll
If your clothes should ever catch on fire, stop wherever you
are, drop to the floor or ground, and roll over and over to smother
the flames. Cover your face with your hands to protect the
face. Practice this with young children regularly.
Crawl low in smoke
Smoke is hot from the fire. This will make it rise to the
highest part of your house, around the ceiling. That is why
you crawl low in smoke. The cleanest air is near the floor.
Cool a burn
If someone gets burned, put cool water on the burned skin
immediately. Seek a doctor's help if a blister forms or if the
burn is severe.
Smokers need watchers
Make sure smokers extinguish cigarettes in large, deep
ashtrays. Empty the ashtrays into the toilet. Check
under the sofa and chair cushions for cigarette butts before going
to bed. Never smoke in bed.
Space heaters need space
Keep portable space heaters at least 36 inches away from things
that burn; paper, bedding, clothing, curtains, etc. Keep small
children away from heaters. Turn the heaters off when going to bed
or when leaving home.
Be careful when cooking
Always pay complete attention when cooking at the stove.
Keep your children out of the way. If grease catches fire,
place a lid over the pan to smother the fire; turn off the
burner. Never throw water or anything else onto a grease
fire. Make sure pot handles are turned inward so that they
can't be accidentally tipped over
Practice safety with electricity
If an appliance gives off smoke or a burning odor, unplug it
immediately and have it checked for repairs. Check the cords
on appliances; have cords replaced if they are frayed or
broken. Do not place extension cords under rugs or in places
where they may be stepped on and broken.
Look for other safety concerns coming soon...
- Water, Lakes, Pools
- Power Lines
- Automobile Safety
