Fire Prevention in the Home

1
Fire Prevention in the Home !!

• Presented by
• The Salisbury Fire Department

2
National Fire Protection AssociationNFPA

• In the U.S. Death every 134 minutes
• In Canada Death every 31 hours
• Roughly half of all home fire deaths in U.S.
  result from fires occurring between the hours of
  1000 pm and 600 am
• Children five (5) and under make up nine percent
  (9) of population accounted for 17 of deaths
  

3
National Fire Protection Agency NFPA

• Smoking leading cause of home fire deaths overall
• Fire departments respond to a fire somewhere in
  U.S. every 20 seconds !!

4
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Smoke Detectors !!
• Get Them!! (Available for hearing impaired)
• One on every level
• Maintain Them !!
• Keep clean / dust free
• Test once a month
• Replace batteries at time changes

5
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Fire Extinguishers
• Get Them !!
• Strategically Placed
• ABCs
• Know how to use BEFORE fire occurs !!
• Small fire use ONLY !
• PASS Pull/Aim/Squeeze/Sweep
• GET OUT and call 911 if unsuccessful or fire
  grows !!

6
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Plan Ahead / Exit Plan
• Make Floor Plans
• Two ways out
• Window ladders available for two story home
• House keeping
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed
• Feel door before opening
• Keep exit paths clear
• Meeting place outside

7
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Furnaces/Heaters
• Install/maintain properly
• Yearly inspections by professional
• Dont store combustibles near
• At least three (3) feet away (includes walls)
• Dont leave space heaters operating when not in
  room

8
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Furnaces/Heaters
• Dont use extension chords
• Many chords arent rated to handle required
  electrical current
• Light matches/igniters prior to turning on gas
  for gas operated space heaters
• Dont use range/oven in lieu of furnace/heater

9
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Kitchens
• Careless cooking 1 cause of residential fires !!
• Never leave unattended
• Keep extinguisher in kitchen
• ABCs
• NEVER pour WATER on GREASE fire !!
• Cover pan with lid / Close oven door
• Turn off stove / oven

10
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Kitchens
• Dont store items on stove
• Remember furnace / heater rule???
• Keep appliances clean / maintained
• Disconnect when not in use
• Dont overload outlets
• NO POWER STRIPS !!!
• Dont wear loose fitting clothing when cooking

11
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Kitchens
• Turn pot handles inward
• No curtains if stove under a window
• Clean exhaust hood regularly
• Clean stove top/oven regularly
• Dont operate microwave without food in it

12
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Electrical Hazards
• Limit extension chord use
• Dont run under rugs
• Limit outlet use
• No Octopus Plugs
• Use correct light bulbs
• Correct wattage for appliance
• Check for loose / damaged receptacles

13
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Electrical Hazards
• Allow air space around TVs, stereos, etc
• Cut back on amount of appliances on any given
  circuit when circuit breakers blow
• Look for UL label
• Be aware of you homes electrical capabilities
• Modern appliances vs. older wiring

14
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Clothes Dryers
• NEVER leave home with operating dryer
• Vent to outside
• Clean lint screen frequently
• No plastics/rubber/foam

15
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Fireplaces
• Use fireplace screens
• Combustible rule again !!
• Chimney inspections yearly
• Consider spark arresters to prevent roof fires
• Light igniters prior to turning on gas (again!!)
  with gas operated fireplaces

16
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Children
• One fourth of all childrens fire deaths result
  from a child starting a fire
• Keep lighters/matches/igniters OUT OF REACH
• Teach children to bring adult to device if found
  rather than bring device to adult
• Never leave children unattended near fire or
  space heaters

17
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Children
• Understand natural curiosity of children to fire
  but be aware of unusual fascination
• Ensure that overnighters are aware of escape
  plan/meeting place

18
What Can You Do????!!!!

• FinallySmoking
• Believe in burning to death if you wont believe
  in lung disease, heart disease, and cancer!!
• NEVER smoke in bed
• Refrain from smoking when youve been drinking or
  are very tired

19
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Smoking
• Use large ashtrays
• Empty often
• Avoid dumping ashes into trash cans
• Wetting them down and disposing in trash
  receptacles may STILL allow fire to occur

20
What Can You Do????!!!!

• Consider Residential Sprinklers
• Consider during design phase of building
• Minor cost now for major savings later
• Possible reduction in homeowners insurance
• Not designed to put fire out
• Designed to keep flashover from occurring to
  allow occupants time to escape
• SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES !!!

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Fire Prevention in the Home !!

• There are many needless fires occurring in the
  U. S. every day
• Simple steps can be taken to prevent fires
• Situational Awareness and Common Sense need to
  prevail !!

22
Fire Prevention in the Home !!

• Contact Information
• Salisbury Fire Department Web Site
• www.salisburyfd.com
• Salisbury Fire Department
• 410.548.3120