Emergency - Fire

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There are chain ladders that can be kept in the bedroom on the second floor. - Do you have a fire extinguisher in different parts of the house? - Do you PRACTICE fire drills - Do you have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector? - Do you have extra batteries for your detectors? - Do you check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on a regular basis? You might want to hang a whistle on your child's bedroom door to use only if there is a fire. It is easier to find a child by hearing a whistle instead of a little voice. ********************************************************************************************************************************* It is extremely important to identify the correct type of extinguishing agent for the correct type of fire. There are five main types of fire extinguishers: 1. Water 2. Dry Chemical 3. Halon 4. Carbon dioxide 5. Foam Fire extinguishers should be rated and approved by the City Fire Marshal and Underwriters' Laboratories. They are rated according to their effectiveness on different classes of fires and their relative strength and capacity. 1. Fires are classified under four different fuels that can burn.   Class A Ordinary combustibles such as paper, cloth, wood, rubber and many plastics.   Class B Flammable liquids (ie. oils, gasoline, kitchen grease, paints, solvents, etc.) and combustible liquids (ie. charcoal, lighter, kerosene, diesel fuel, etc.). These fuel burn only at the surface because oxygen cannot penetrate the depths of the fluid.   Class C Electrical equipment (ie. wiring, fuse boxes, motors, power tools, appliances, etc.).   Class D Combustible metals (ie. aluminum, magnesium, and titanium). 2. To extinguish any of the above mentioned fires you need the right extinguishing agent. Type of Fire Extinguishing Agent Method A ordinary materials water or foam removes heat removes air and heat dry chemical breaks chain reaction B Flammable liquids foam or CO2 removes oxygen dry chemical or Halon breaks chain reaction C electrial equipment CO2 removes oxygen dry chemical or Halon breaks chain reaction D Combustible metals special agents usually remove the oxygen DO NOT attempt this. Let the professionals handle this. 3. It is extremely important to identify the correct type of extinguishing agent for the correct type of fire. 4. There are five main types of fire extinguishers: water, dry chemical, Halon, Carbon dioxide and foam. 5. Fire extinguishers should be rated and approved by the State Fire Marshal and Underwriters Laboratories. They are rated according to their effectiveness on different classes of fires and their relative strength and capacity. Look for a label similar to this one. 6. Hazardous materials cause a large threat in putting out a fire. Hazardous materials are any materials that explode or are easily ignited, corrode other materials, react adversely with water, are unstable when exposed to heat or shock, or are otherwise toxic to humans, animals or the environment. 7. Hazardous materials include: explosives, oxidizers, radioactive materials, corrosives, nonflammable gas, poisons and poisonous gases, and flammable gas and liquids. 8. Hazardous materials in transit are required by law to be identified on all four sides of the vehicle by Department of Transportation (DOT). United Nations (UN), or North American (NA) diamond shaped warning placards. Each placard include a color, symbol, name, and number, each of which indicated the type of hazard. 9. Stored hazardous materials are identified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond system of placards. These placards are located on the outside of buildings at the entrance to the storage area. 10. If you see one of these diamond shaped placards near a fire treat it as a stop sign and do not attempt to go near the fire to extinguish it or even render assistance. Let the professionals handle the situation. 11. Smoke contains harmful agents that can posion you or sear your lungs. 12. Fire requires three elements:   A Heat: The temperature at which a material produces vapor, and the temperature at which vapors will burn. Vapors will self ignite if the temperature is hot enough.   B Fuel: The fuel for a fire may be a solid, liquid, or gas. the type and quanity of the fuel will determine which method should be used to extinguish the fire.   C Oxygen: Fires will burn vigorously in any atmosphere of at least twenty persent oxygen. Without oxygen, fuel could be heated until entirely vaporized, and still not burn. 13. To put out a fire you need to remove the fuel source. Remove any one of the three main elements and the fire will die. Remember remove it completely not just move it to one side because given the right circumstances it could ignite again. What to do to HELP PREVENT AND PREPARE FOR A FIRE 1. install and maintain smoke and CO2 detectors throughout your house and natural or propane gas detectors near your furnace and hot water heater or boiler. 2. Keep copies of important documents, such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, etc., in a safe place away from your home. 3. Properly store and label flammable, combustible, and hazardous materials. 4. Locate potential fire hazards and reduce their likelihood.   a. Electrical Hazards include: 1. The electrical octopus, avoid overloading electrical outlets. 2. Donot run electrical cords under carpets or tape down electrical cords in high traffic areas. 3. Replace broken or frayed elecrical cords immediately. 4. Maintain electrical appliznces regularly. Remove or replace malfunctioning appliances.   b. Natural gas hazards include: 1. asphyxiants which rob the body or oxygen. 2. It is explosive. Leaking gas can easily be ignited.   c. Flammable liquid hazards include: 1. many houshold products like gasoline, charcoal lighter, paint thinners, paint removers, air fresheners, deodorants, hair sprays, insecticides, furniture polish and other aerosols. 5. Safeguard your home. Check your home for potential hazards.   a. Bolt or strap down top-heavy objects such as bookshelves, water heaters, and gas appliances to prevent them from tipping over.   b. Check electrical connections and gas pipes for faulty joints and connections.   c. Place flammable, explosive, and corrosive materials in low or closed cabinets or drawers.   d. Store flammable, explosive and corrosive materials in unbreakable containers.   e. Keep properly rated and tagged fire extinguishers on hand and along with your family learn how to use them properly.   f. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. 6. Implement preventive safety measures for you and your family members.   a. Know where and how to shut off the gas or propane, electricity, and water at main switches and valves. Teach all responsible members how to do this.   b. Work out a plan detailing how to get back together if you are separated due to a fire. 1. Discuss with your family what each person will do in case of a fire. 2. Remember, this plan should be flexible regarding time and location of each individual during any time of the day, week, or year. 3. Hold occasional drills so that your family kows what to do in case of a fire.   c. Keep a flashlight and/or lightstick, "jump-in" clothes, and an extra pair of shoes (and prescription glasses, if you use them) by your bed.   d. Put together a complete first aid kit and have every responsible person in your family know how to use its contents.   e. Learn basic first aid and CPR. What To Do DURING A FIRE 1. Remain calm!!! Think through the consequences of all your actions. 2. Slowly head for the nearest exit. 3. Before opening any door feel the door with the back of your hand to see if it is hot. If it is, there is most likely a fire behind it, so do NOT open it. 4. If you see or smell smoke stay low to the floor. That is where the clear air will be because the heat and smoke will rise toward the top of the room. 5. If you are trapped in a room filled with smoke and there is water in the room, dampen (do NOT soak) a towel, cloth, shirt, etc., and place it over your mouth and nose. the damp cloth will act as an air filter. 6. Close all doors behind you to cut off air movement to the fire, but do NOT lock them. Someone else may need to use them. 7. If you are on the ground floor, try escaping through a window if all exits are unaccessible. 8. If you are trapped on an upper floor, do NOT try jumping out of a window. Rather, try to find something to use as a rope or lader, sucha as knotting bed sheets or blankets together. 9. Turn off fans, air-conditioners, heating and cooling units. 10. Do Not use elevators even if they appear to be working. Elevator shafts often act as chimney stacks for fires on lower floors. 11. If you think you can put out a small fire use what ever resources you might have on hand (ie. fire extinguishers, wet standpipes, water hoses, buckets of water or sand, blankets, water from a swimming pool or spa, etc.)   a. Always keep your back towards your escape route and never towards the fire.   b. Remember when using waters hoses connected to wet standpipes you need to unravel the entire hose before tuning on the water. These water hoses are normally about 100 feet long and can deilver up to 125 galons of water per minute, which is enough to pin any unwary person against the wall.   c. When fighting a fire always chase it back to it's origination while maintaining a safe distance. Work from unburned to burned.   d. Always have tow ways to exit a fire area.   e. Always work using a buddy system. Do not fight fires alone.   f. Use safety equipment (helmet, goggles, dust mask, leather work gloves, heavy shoes, etc.   g. Never get to close to a fire   h. If you cannot fight the fire get out.   i. Shut off all utilities that might fuel the fire.   j. Never enter a basement to turn off any utility. 12. if you or your clothing get caught on fire STOP, DROP, AND ROLL to put out the flames.