Committed to quality service.

Fire Prevention and Safety

Fire prevention education is one of the most important lessons anyone can learn whether you are a resident, child or parent, teacher or firefighter. Knowing what to do could save your life or the life of someone near and dear.

Once a fire starts...there's no time to develop plan!

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that approximately 80% of all fire deaths were caused by home fires. Last year, roughly 2,600 people were killed and 12,500 were injured by home fires.

FIRE SAFETY

Fire Safety in the home is the responsibility of every member of your family. There are a few things that you and your family need to do to be prepared in the event fire strikes your home. Your home and property can be replaced. You or a family member cannot.

The first thing you need to do is make a fire escape plan. Sketch out a floor plan of your home, including all rooms, windows, interior and exterior doors, stairways, fire escapes and smoke alarms. Make sure that every family member is familiar with the layout.  When developing your plan select two escape routes from each room and mark them clearly on the plan. Make sure windows and doorways open easily and make sure stairs and doorways are never blocked. Look for things that could slow down your escape and move or fix them.   Give each family member a copy of the escape plan and designate a safe place in front of your home to meet so you will know everyone escaped safely. 

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL

  • In case of fire go to your neighbor’s home to call if you do not have a mobile phone readily available.
  • Teach your children how to get emergency help.

The first person that makes it to the meeting place needs to go to a neighbor's house and dial 911 if a mobile phone is not available.  If you do not already have your mobile phone with you at the time the fire starts do not take the time to search for it when trying to escape.  Your life is more important than trying to save material possessions.  When calling 911 give the dispatcher your name and exact address of the fire.  Hang up the phone and return to the family meeting place to await local fire department's arrival.  Do not attempt to go back in the house.

Once the fire department arrives advise them if anyone is still in the house and their location. Rescuing people is the fire department's first priority.      

 When Fire Strikes: Get Out, Stay Out! 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

Here is some information you need to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe from fire and other risks.

SMOKE DETECTORS

Smoke detectors need to be installed in your home on every floor level. They need to be located outside of every bedroom door or outside groups of 3 bedroom doors. Install detectors down the hallway away from bathroom doors and in another room just adjacent to kitchen areas. Test smoke detectors weekly to ensure proper operations. Each detector needs to be vacuumed out of dust with a vacuum cleaner or blow out with a bottle of compressed air twice a year.  Replace batteries with new ones, twice a year whether they need it or not. The best time to do this is when the time changes in the spring and fall.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Install dry chemical ABC fire extinguishers at each exit of our kitchen area. Do not locate them next to the stove. If you have a stove fire you may not be able to reach them. Have fire extinguishers checked yearly to ensure proper operations. Check gauges often to see if they are charged or have leaked down. Check hoses for dry rot and pins are still secured. Make sure you know the proper operations of the extinguishers.

Using a portable fire extinguisher - Remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. This unlocks the operating lever.
Aim low, point the nozzle, hose, or horn at the base of the fire
Squeeze the lever or button above the handle.
Sweep from side to side until the flames appear to be out*.  Even if you think you have extinguished the fire, it could flare up again.

*Important: NFPA recommends that portable fire extinguishers be used by adults only. Children should be taught to how to prevent and escape a fire, not to fight one.

USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY 

  • Don’t overload extension cords or run them under rugs. 
  • Replace any cord that is cracked or frayed. If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it and have it repaired by a professional.
  • Use the proper size fuses in your fuse box.

SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE

  • Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet (1m) from anything that can burn.
  • Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed and keep children and pets well away form them.

MATCHES OR LIGHTERS CAN BE DEADLY IN THE HANDS OF A CHILD

  • Use child resistant lighters.
  • Store all matches and lighters up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

SECURITY BARS ON WINDOWS CAN TRAP YOU IN A FIRE

  • Use bars which have a quick release mechanism that everyone in the family can operate.

CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE 

  • If you encounter smoke on your way out of a fire, use your second way out instead.
  • If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.

STOP, DROP, ROLL, COOL and CALL 

  • "Stop, Drop, Roll, Cool and Call"

    The Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool procedure should be used to extinguish flames and lessen burn injuries if your clothing catches fire. If your clothes catch fire:

    STOP immediately where you are.

DROPto the ground.

ROLL over and over and over, covering your face and mouth with your hands (this will prevent flames from burning your face and smoke from entering your lungs). Roll over and over until the flames are extinguished.

COOL the burn with cool water for 10-15 minutes. Children should get help from a grown-up, and if needed, see a doctor.

CALL for emergency help. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.  Burns can be serious injuries requiring help from emergency personnel.

FIRE LINKS

xxxhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Let your kids team up with Sparky the Fire Dog  or Smokey the Bear for some fun and to learn  about fire prevention and safety!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx