October 2013 Monthly Memo: Fire Prevention Week/Fire Safety
Fires cause an estimated 3,500 deaths and nearly $4 billion in property damage in the United States annually — much more than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods. Yet many people ignore common fire hazards in the home and don’t prepare themselves or family members for this more common catastrophe. Set aside some time and effort to protect your home from a devastating blaze with these safety tips.
In this fun, animated video, Rover the Home Safety Hound and Freddie Flashlight teach children to stay away from things at home that might cause fire and burns.
This segment from NBC’s TODAY Show may surprise some parents, as it shows how kids can sleep right through the sound of a smoke alarm.
This video done by the NIST shows a VERY DRY Christmas tree on fire in a room. It takes a little over 30 seconds for the room to flashover. Keep your tree watered. Once it ignites (short circuit of a strand of lights, direct flame, etc) it will become a fully developed fire very fast and extend to the rest of the structure very quickly.
Home Fire Prevention and Safety Tips * Fire Safety for Children
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Fire Resources - a page of links and resources on these topics
- Smoke Alarms
- Fire Extinguishers
- Escape Plans (details/sample plan)
- Chimney fires
- Carbon Monoxide
- Halloween Fire Safety
- Household appliances
- Cook Up a Safe Place
- Buffer Home Heaters
- Holiday Fire Safety
- Personal Property
Fire Safety- don’t let your holiday go up in flames, literally!
Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage. http://ow.ly/oUwsq
This video done by the NIST shows a VERY DRY Christmas tree on fire in a room. It takes a little over 30 seconds for the room to flashover. Keep your tree watered. Once it ignites (short circuit of a strand of lights, direct flame, etc) it will become a fully developed fire very fast and extend to the rest of the structure very quickly.
Set aside some time and effort to protect your home from a devastating blaze with some safety tips
Fires cause an estimated 3,500 deaths and nearly $4 billion in property damage in the United States annually — much more than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods. Yet many people ignore common fire hazards in the home and don’t prepare themselves or family members for this more common catastrophe.
- Most home fires are started by home heating equipment. Use caution and common sense when using propane, electric or other home heating equipment.
- Keep flammables, such as drapes and furniture, away from space and portable heaters.
- Hire a certified chimney sweep to regularly clean and inspect the chimney.
- Inspect heating equipment regularly for proper design, installation and operation.
- Follow manufacturer instructions when installing and filling liquid- and gas-fueled heaters.
- Never leave auxiliary heating equipment unattended.
Household Appliances- Household appliances are another common cause of fires. Many people feel invulnerable from electrical fire hazards, thinking the rules don’t apply to them. Don’t make the same mistake and instead connect with these warnings:
- Don’t overload wall outlets.
- Don’t use fuses rated too high for your home’s circuits.
- Don’t use frayed electrical cords.
- Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture.
Cook Up a Safe Place- Most home fires start in the kitchen. To protect your home and family:
- Keep the stove clean and free of grease.
- Keep the handles of pots and pans turned inward.
- Keep all flammable material (including shirt sleeves) away from burners.
- Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires nearby. • Never store flammable liquids in the kitchen.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
Protecting Possessions
- While prevention is the best protection against fires, precautions can be taken to protect possessions. A fire resistant safe or filing cabinet can help protect important documents like deeds, mortgages, titles for cars and birth certificates. Computer disks, home videos and family photographs can also be kept safe this way — if you’re using a safe specifically designed for such heat-sensitive items.
- For added protection, make duplicates and store the copies away from home in a secure location.
- And be sure to have Identity Theft protection to provide protection after a disaster when looting is a frequent problem.
A house fire is traumatic enough. Not having a good record of your belongings can only add to the misery. Keeping a home inventory of the items you have and their values will help you when the rebuilding starts. There are free downloads available from the Insurance Information Institute to serve as a guide to homeowners in order to have record after a loss.
A few simple steps can help when taking inventory: Don’t put it off. Start with new items and their value, and then try to remember older items. An incomplete inventory is better than nothing at all. Use your camera. Take pictures or video of your home and write down descriptions to go with it. Keep it safe. Be sure to keep the inventory in a secure place, such as a fire box or safe deposit box.
October 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week: Kitchen Safety
This year, the focus is on the kitchen so it’s the perfect time to teach your little chefs how to be safe in kitchen. For example, even though it can be convenient, it’s not safe to hold a child while cooking. Instead, move a high chair in the kitchen within sight before you start. Here are a few more safety tips.
The use of a fire extinguisher in the hands of a trained adult can be a life and property saving tool. However, a majority of adults have not had fire extinguisher training and may not know how and when to use them. Fire extinguisher use requires a sound decision making process and training on their proper use and maintenance. Tips on what type of extinguisher to buy, when to use and how to maintain it
Teach children to stay away from things that might cause fires and burns
In this fun, animated video, Rover the Home Safety Hound and Freddie Flashlight teach children to stay away from things at home that might cause fire and burns.
September is Disaster Prepareness Month
If you only had 10 minutes to evacuate your home, would you be ready? What would you take with you? See how two families deal with an evacuation order, and what a difference having a plan can make. http://ow.ly/o5QSs
Ready your Family Emergency Plan…. http://ow.ly/o5TeB
In the event of a sudden emergency such as a hurricane, you may have just minutes to gather your family and important papers, and get out of your house, possibly for good. Are you prepared? Where would you go? What would you take with you? http://ow.ly/o5RQr
Sesame Workshop, along with its project partners has created Let’s Get Ready! Planning Together for Emergencies with tips, activities, and other easy tools to help the whole family prepare for emergencies – together! http://ow.ly/o5Siv
Build a kit for disasters and emergencies! (and don’t forget to update/refresh it) http://ow.ly/o5SFf
A Disaster Supply Kit should contain the following:
- Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
- Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days- Non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, foods for infants or the elderly, snack foods, non-electric can opener, cooking utensils / fuel, paper plates, plastic utensils
- Blankets / Pillows, etc.
- Clothing – seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes
- Medical supplies – first aid kit, medicines, prescription drugs
- Special Items – for infants and the elderly
- Toiletries – hygiene items
- Moisture wipes
- Flashlight – extra batteries
- Radio – battery-operated and NOAA weather radio
- Cash – (Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.)
- Important documents – in a waterproof container- Insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, social security card, etc
- Keys
- Toys, books and games
- Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
- Vehicle fuel tanks filled
- Pet care items- Proper identification, immunization records, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, medications, muzzle and leash.
Visit www.Ready.gov, and www.fema.gov/what-mitigation/plan-prepare for a thorough look into disaster preparedness and a more detailed list of emergency supplies. Also, www.Ready.gov/kids is an excellent resource for information on how to involve children in the process of assembling the family’s Disaster Supply Kit.