TOGETHERWE PREPARE

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TOGETHERWE PREPARE
Build a Kit
Get Trained
Make a Plan
Volunteer
Give Blood
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Home Fires
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Home Fires

• Home fire is the disaster that people experience
  most often in the United States.
  
• Fires, cause the most disaster-related deaths,
  also cause a significant amount of property
  damage and can happen anywhere in our community.
  

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Fire Effects

• The leading cause of death in a fire is
  asphyxiation, three times over that of burns.
  
• Fire consumes the oxygen in the air and increases
  carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
  
• When inhaled, the contaminated air can cause loss
  of consciousness or death within minutes.

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Smoke Alarms

• Install on every level of the home
• Outside sleeping areas
• Inside sleeping areas if people sleep with their
  doors closed
  
• Smoke Alarm Maintenance
• Test monthly
• Change the batteries once a year or when the
  alarm chirps
  
• Replace every ten years

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Fire Prevention

• Avoid smoking in bed when drowsy or when
  medicated.
  
• Keep matches and lighters up high, away from
  children.
  
• Maintain home heating sources.
• Keep combustibles away from heat sources.
• Cook safely.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt.

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Home FiresMake a Plan

• Install smoke alarms and make sure they keep
  working.
  
• Draw a floor plan of your home and identify two
  escape routes out of every room.
  
• Consider installing escape ladders for sleeping
  areas on the second or third floor and quick
  release devices for the inside of
  burglar/security bars.
• Select a safe outside meeting place once everyone
  has evacuated your home in the event of a fire.

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Home FiresMake a Plan

• Conduct a home fire drill twice a year. During
  your home fire drill
  
• Practice alerting other family members by yelling
  Fire! during your escape.
  
• Close doors behind you to delay the spreading of
  the fire.
  
• Practice your evacuation plan with your eyes
  closed or blind-folded.
  
• Teach family members to get out first and then
  call for help.
  
• Practice your home evacuation plan during the day
  and at night.

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Home FiresBuild a Kit

• Keep your kit near your primary exit.
• Have flashlights and extra batteries ready

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If fire strikes, TAKE ACTION

• Get out.
• If a stove fire starts, put a lid on the burning
  pan and turn off the burner.
  
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel
  the door, cracks and doorknob with the back of
  your hand before opening the door.
  
• If you see any smoke or fire in your first escape
  route, use your second way out.
  
• Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the
  spread of the fire.

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If fire strikes, TAKE ACTION

• If smoke heat or flames block your exit routes
  and you cannot get outside safely
  
• Stay in the room with the door closed.
• Open the window for ventilation.
• Hang a sheet outside so firefighters can find
  you.
  
• If there is a phone in the room, call the fire
  department and tell them where you are.

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If fire strikes, TAKE ACTION

• Once you are out, stay out!
• Firefighters are trained and equipped to enter
  burning buildings. If someone is still inside,
  direct them to that persons probable location.
  
• Go to your meeting place.
• Use a cell phone, or send someone to call the
  fire department from a neighbors home or from an
  outside phone.

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Afterwards. . .

• If there has been a fire in your home
• Call for help.
• Give first aid.
• Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire
  authorities say it is safe to re-enter.
  
• Look for any damage, including structural,
  needing repair.
  
• Check that all wiring and utilities are safe.
• Discard food that has been exposed to heat, smoke
  or soot.
  
• Contact your insurance agent.