PREVENTING HOME FIRE

HOME FIRE

Each year thousands of people die and many more are injured in home fires in this country. Property loss due to home fires is very huge.  Home fires can be prevented!

 Understanding the basic characteristics of fire can really aid appreciation of how dangerous fire can be. Fire spreads so quickly it is very unlikely you will find time to gather valuables or make a phone call. You will be totally confused because in just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames especially if there is fuel stored in the house or the finishing uses fire fodders like many modern ceiling materials.

The flame is definitely less dangerous than the heat and smoke. The air suddenly heats up to oven temperatures. The materials in the house begin to melt under the heat and release toxic gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.  The gas can put you to sleep. Have you wondered why people are sometimes found fast asleep inside while the house in on fire?  Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths.

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

Many are injured and some even die at construction sites... FOR THE PRESENTATION ON CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY CLICK HERE

BASIC ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Electricity is indespensable but extremely dangerous and deadly if not handled safely. FOR THE FULL ARTICLE IN PDF CLICK HERE

Electrical safety in the Home

Electrical safety in the Home  Electricity is now the major cause of accidental fires in homes. UK Government statistics show that electricity causes almost half of all accidental UK house fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 47,820 reported home fires involving electrical failure or malfunction in 2007-2011.  Each year, many people are killed and thousands are seriously injured due to an electrical accident in the home.

Modern living virtually depends on electricity in the home. We now have electrical appliances for virtually every home chores and comfort.  The risk of electrical accidents in the home has increased proportionately.

 It is important that any electrical installation work in your house is carried out only by people who are competent. This means people who have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to avoid dangers to themselves and others.. It's easy to make an electrical circuit work - it's far harder to make the circuit work safely.

AVOID ELECTROCUTION IN THE HOME

TO AVOID ELECTROCUTION IN THE HOME-LEARNING POINTS

THE STORY:

 During a heavy rain fall, the P H C N power supply went off as usual, hence a switch over to an alternative power supply - a generating set.

When the P H C N power supply returned, the Gate Keeper of the compound went to the location of the power change over on bare feet, and standing on wet floor, he held the power changeover handle and was instantaneously electrocuted. He died on the spot.

What Went Wrong

·         Power was leaking from the P H C N source on the panel to the faulty handle (and of course, he did not switch off the generating set before the changeover!!!!!!). 

·         He touched the panel with bare feet on a wet floor

·         The man has been doing this successfully in the past unaware of the risk/hazard  and no one had called his attention to the possible risk of electrocution.