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.
The following
characteristic of fire makes it extremely lethal:
·
The speed of
spread can be very high. A little fire can completely engulf a building and be
out of control in minutes. It quickly generates thick black smoke which is
products of incomplete combustion, to fill the whole house. The smoke continues
to burn and the whole house is engulfed in flames. Most deadly
fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you
can only imagine the confusion; hence victims hardly take out valuables and
sometimes perish.
·
Some rooms ignite on their own because the fire causes the whole
space to become extremely hot. Room temperatures range from 100 to 600 degrees
Celsius. Many die because of the heat. If you inhale gas at such high
temperatures and your longs will be charred. Clothes melt on the skin and
severe burns result.
·
Fire is pitch dark. Fire starts bright, but quickly
produces black smoke and complete darkness even while it is day.
·
Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and toxic
gases. Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. The odorless,
colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your
door. You may not wake up in time to escape.
This
is introduction to fire; it is deadly so it is important to be prepared.
Prevention they say is better than cure. Be safety conscious.
Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan
In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so
you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of
your home quickly.
Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan.
Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:
- Find
two ways to get out of each room.
- If
the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way
out.
- Make
sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and
that security bars can be properly opened.
- Fire
Safety calls for improved design of protectors for our windows and doors.
Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to
allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in
the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open
locked or barred doors and windows. If padlocks are used at night it better
to just hook it without locking. Under high temperature, the lock might
jam and in the desperate move to run out, you might not find the keys.
- Practice
feeling your way out of the house in the dark any time you have power
failure at night or you deliberately close your eyes and find your way as
a practice.
Smoke Alarms
A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only
thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances
of surviving a deadly home fire. These
are very cheap items that can save you from a total loss.
- Install
both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR dual sensor smoke
alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Battery powered type is recommended in this nation.
- Test
batteries monthly.
- Replace
batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a
year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries)
- Install
smoke alarms on every level of your home. . Install smoke alarms both
inside and outside of sleeping areas.
- Never
disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake. You may
move the entire alarm several feet away from the cooking area.
- Smoke
alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of
neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help, are also
available.
More Fire Safety Tips
- Sleep
with your door closed. Closed door can cut/ mitigate smoke and heat till
you are rescued
- Acquire
fire extinguishers and train/ practice to use them. Only those trained in
the proper use of fire extinguishers should consider using them when
appropriate.
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