Fire Safety in the home is the responsibility of every member of your family. There are a few things that you
need to do, along with the rest of the family in preparing for this years National Fire Prevention Week. This is so
everyone knows what they have to do in the event fire strikes your home. Your home and property can be
replaced. You or a family member can not.
The first thing you and your family needs to do when getting started with fire prevention planning is to make a
home escape plan. Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan that everyone understands can mean
the difference between life and death. Fire can grow and spread through your home very quickly. It's important
that you be prepared to react as soon as the smoke alarm sounds.
Make sure your family establishes and knows where the family meeting place is out in the yard. This is so
everyone can be accounted for and that everyone made it out or not. Once each family member is out of the
house and in the meeting place, follow the NFPA theme for this year "When Fire Strikes: Get Out, Stay Out". Do
not go back in the house for any reason. You may become another victim.
The first person that makes it to the meeting place needs to go to the neighbors house and dial 911. Give the
911 dispatcher your name, your house number, your street name, and state your house is on fire. Hang up the
phone and return to the family meeting place to await local fire department's arrival. Once the fire department
arrives advise them if anyone is still in the house and their location. Rescuing people is the fire department's
first priority.
Smoke detectors need to be installed in your home on every floor level. They need to be located outside of
every bedroom door or outside groups of 3 bedroom doors. Install detectors down the hallway away from
bathroom doors and in another room just adjacent to kitchen areas. Test smoke detectors weekly to ensure
proper operations. Each detector needs to be vacuumed out of dust with a vacuum cleaner or blow out with a
bottle of compressed air twice a year. Do fire drills with the family once a month and go over the location of the
meeting place. Replace batteries with new ones, twice a year whether they need it or not. The best time to do
this is when the time changes in the spring and fall.
Install dry chemical ABC fire extinguishers at each exit of your kitchen area. Do not locate them next to the
stove. If you have a stove fire you may not be able to reach them. Have fire extinguishers checked yearly to
ensure proper operations. Check gauges often to see if they are charged or have leaked down. Check hoses
for dry rot and pins are still secured. Make sure you know the proper operations of the extinguishers.
Using a portable fire extinguisher - Remember the word PASS:
Pull the pin.
This unlocks
the operating lever.
Aim low. Point the fire extinguisher nozzle, hose,
or horn at the base of the fire
Squeeze the lever or button above the handle.
Sweep from side to side until the flames appear to be out*. Even if you think you have extinguished the fire, it
could flare up again.
*Important: NFPA recommends that portable fire extinguishers be used by adults only. Children should be
taught to how to prevent and escape a fire, not to fight one.
If your clothes catch on fire follow the stop drop and roll rule. You may be able to learn this from your children.
"Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool"
The Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool procedure should be used to extinguish flames and lessen burn injuries if your
clothing catches fire. If your clothes catch fire:
STOP immediately where you are. DROP to the ground. ROLL over and over and over, covering your face and
mouth with your hands (this will prevent flames from burning your face and smoke from entering your lungs).
Roll over and over until the flames are extinguished.
COOL the burn with cool water for 10-15 minutes. Get help from a grown-up, and if needed, see a doctor.
| National Fire Prevention Week 2007 October 7 - 13 |