PREVENTING HOME FIRES- part 3

SECTION 3
AFTER FIRE INCIDENT IN YOUR HOUSE:

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process.  When fire strikes, you experience a negative turning point in life. Often, the hardest part is where to begin and who to contact.

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire incident.

• Contact your Pastor.
• Contact your relations and friends
• Contact the disaster relief agency. They may provide food and medicines.
• If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property and conducting inventory   If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
• Arrange for the security of whatever is left.
•  Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire, so as to make sure your residence is safe to enter.
• Get professionals to check that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected. Do NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
• Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.  Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
• Try to locate valuable documents and records. 
• Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss.  The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company..

 PREVENTING HOME FIRES:

Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded cigarettes, filament lamps installed close to window blinds, electrical faults from overloaded sockets, faulty air conditioners, forgotten pots on fire and kettles connected to power source especially during power outage. These fires can be particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period before being discovered by sleeping residents. Home fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.

Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Do not cook if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
• Keep children away from cooking areas.
• Position barbecue grills at least 3meters away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Smoking

• If you smoke, do so outside. Put your cigarettes out in a can filled with sand.
• Make sure cigarettes and ashes are out. The cigarette really needs to be completely stubbed out in an ashtray. Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
•  Don't put ashtrays on chairs and sofas. They catch fire fast and burn fast. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
• Be alert - don’t smoke in bed! If you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out first.

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as SON.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.

·         Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Children

• Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Teach children not to pick up matches or lighters they may find. Instead, they should tell an adult immediately.
• Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.
• Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire.

More Prevention Tips

• Avoid using lighted candles.
• Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources. Portable generators (I better pass my Neighbor) should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled after putting it off and that outdoors in well ventilated area.