FIRE SAFETY
Don't mess with fire...it's not a joke
PREVENT
Each year, fire claims the lives of 3,400 Americans and 17,500 injuries. Many of these fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, such as overloading extension cords or using portable space heaters too close to combustibles. Many other bedroom fires are caused by children who play with matches and lighters and careless smoking among adults.
Kids and Fire: A Bad Match
Children are one of the highest risk groups for deaths in residential fires. At home, children usually play with fire, lighters, matches and other ignitables. Children of all ages set over 35,000 fires annually. Every year over 400 young children die in home fires. Keep matches and lighters locked up and away from children. Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches which may be evidence your child is playing with matches. Teach your child that fire is a tool, not a toy.
What Can Cause Fire at Home?
- Candles
On average, 42 home candle fires are reported every day.
Young children and older adults have the highest death risk from candle fires.
The risk of fatal candle fires appears higher when candles are used for light.
- Cooking
67% of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
Frying poses the greatest risk of fire.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.
- Earthquakes
Some types of fire related hazards are present during and after an earthquake.
What Are Unsafe Household Materials?
When most of us think of "unsafe materials," we picture trucks full of chemicals, factories, or dumps oozing slime. However, every home can be a warehouse of unsafe materials, containing items like:
- Automobile fluids
- Barbecue products
- Batteries
- Health and beauty products
- Home maintenance products
- Household cleaners
- Laundry products
- Lawn and garden products
- Medicines and medical supplies
- Paints and thinners
Holiday Fire Safety -- Christmas
- One of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
- Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are serious.
- A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every six of Christmas tree fires.
- More than 56% of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.
- The winter holidays are the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
When using a fire extinguisher there is a ceirtain criteria...
An easy way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher the proper way is thinking of the "PASS" system.
Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep
When do I need to use a fire extinguisher?
Use a fire extinguisher only if:
- You have alerted other occupants and someone has called the fire department;
- The fire is small and contained to a single object, such as a wastebasket;
- You are safe from the toxic smoke produced by the fire;
- You have a means of escape identified and the fire is not between you and the escape route;
- Your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher.
What type of fire extinguisher is needed?
Different types of fires require different types of extinguishers. For example, a grease fire and an electrical fire require the use of different extinguishing agents to be effective and safely put the fire out.
Basically, there are five different types of extinguishing agents. Most fire extinguishers display symbols to show the kind of fire on which they are to be used.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Class A
Class A extinguishers put out fires in ordinary combustible materials such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and many plastics.
Class B
Class B extinguishers are used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints.
Class C
Class C extinguishers are suitable for use on fires involving appliances, tools, or other equipment that is electrically energized or plugged in.
Class D
Class D extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found only in factories working with these metals.
Class K
Class K fire extinguishers are intended for use on fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. These extinguishers are generally found in commercial kitchens, such as those found in restaurants, cafeterias, and caterers. Class K extinguishers are now finding their way into the residential market for use in kitchens.