Home Fires

1

• Home Fires

2

• Home fire is the most common disaster in the
  United States.
• Fires cause the most disaster-related deaths.
• Fire causes a significant amount of property
  damage and can happen anywhere in our community.
• The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
  responds to 3 to 4 house fires EVERY day.

3

• 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.

4

• 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

5

• Fire Prevention
• Keep fuel and heat 3 feet apart.
• Avoid smoking in bed.
• Keep matches and lighters
• secured and away from children.
• Maintain home heating sources.
• Cook safely.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt.

6

• Make a Plan
• Install smoke alarms and keep them 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
  floor.
• quick release devices for the inside of
  burglar/security bars.
• Select a safe outside meeting place for
  everyone to gather once they evacuate your home
  in the event of a fire.

7

• Make 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.

8

• 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.

9

• 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.

10

• 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.

11

• After a fire. . .
• 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.