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Fire
Fire is the fourth largest accidental killer in the United States, behind motor vehicle accidents, falls, and drowning. It is also the disaster that families are most likely to experience.
Over 80% of all fire deaths occur where people sleep, such as in homes or hotels.
Most fires occur when people are likely to be less alert such as between midnight and morning.
Eighty-four percent of house and building fires are accidental, such as though caused by poor electrical wiring or careless behavior.
House and Building Fires
Emergency Information
1. The leading cause of death in a fire is asphyxiation. Fire victims seldom see the flames. Fire consumes the oxygen in the air, thereby increasing the concentration of deadly carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. Inhaling carbon monoxide causes a loss of consciousness or death within minutes.
2. The heat from a fire can melt clothes and scorch the lungs in a single breath. At floor level, temperatures average about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but at eye level rise to 600 degrees.
3. House fires begin with a bright flame then quickly generate a black, choking smoke. It is nearly impossible to see through a thick cloud of smoke, so fire drill participants should practice evacuating buildings with their eyes closed.
What Can You Do?
Install
smoke detectors. Check them once a month and change the batteries at least once
a year.
Develop and practice an escape plan. Make sure all family members know what to do in a fire.
- Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
- Practice alerting other household members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom for this purpose.
- Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire will most likely make it impossible to see.
- Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
- Feel all doors before opening them. If the door is hot, get out another way.
- Learn to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch fire.
- Post emergency numbers near telephones. However, be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to your emergency services from inside the home. It is better to get out first and place the call from somewhere else.
- Purchase collapsible ladders at hardware stores and practice using them.
- Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to use them.
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Do not store combustible materials in closed areas near a heat source.
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Check electrical wiring.
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Replace wiring if frayed or cracked.
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Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas.
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Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
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Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
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Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that have a label indicating that they have been inspected by a testing laboratory such as Under Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
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Get out as quickly and as safely as possible.
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Use the stairs to escape.
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When evacuating, stay low to the ground. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke and gases.
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Close doors in each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.