Can you name eight fire prevention tips for your home?
In elementary school, children are taught the fundamentals of Stop, Drop and Roll. This simple fire safety technique has been burned into the back of our brains for good reason; it can minimize damage and save lives.
October is Fire Prevention Month. This year's theme is 'Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.' The goal is to educate the community on cooking hazards, the dangers of unattended cooking and precautions to take to prevent cooking-related fires.
Most families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen. Whether it be cooking, eating, socializing; the greater part of our day, spent at home, is in the kitchen.
With that, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, two out of every five house fires start in the kitchen.
However, there are some straightforward safety measures you can take to prevent a fire in your kitchen.
• Cook with caution.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling or boiling food.
• Turn off the stove if you leave the kitchen.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.
• Have a kid-free zone of at least three-feet around the stove.
• Store a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen.
Fires don't just start in the kitchen. They can strike at any place and at any time. In fact, it takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a major fire and it only takes minutes for smoke to fill a home or for it to be engulfed in flames. That's why it is so crucial to be prepared.
• Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan
- Review your escape plan with everyone that stays in the house, especially children.
- Practice as if there were a real fire; crawling low beneath smoke, checking for hot doors, etc.
- Go directly to your meeting place.
- Remember: Get out first, then call 911.
• Install and Test Smoke Alarms
- Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom and on every level of the home, including the basement. Also install an alarm in the kitchen and all other living areas. Test each alarm at least every other month.
• Close Before You Doze.
- Close your door before going to bed at night. A closed door can isolate the fire's flow, reduce room temperatures and keep carbon monoxide levels down.
• Never Use a Stove or Oven to Heat Your Home
- Not only is this an inefficient way to heat a large space, it is also risky and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• No Smoking
- Never smoke in bed, when you're tired, when taking medication that may make you drowsy, or after consuming alcohol. The lit cigarette could ignite a nearby mattress, curtain or couch and cause injury or death.
• Practice Caution with Candles
- Always use caution with any open flame. Stay in the room while candles are burning.
• Maintain All Electrical Cords
- A frayed or broken cord can easily spark a fire. Do NOT overcrowd cords and outlets. Keep cords neatly organized and out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep Fire Extinguishers Nearby
- Make sure you know how to operate the extinguisher, BEFORE a fire. A fire extinguisher should be placed in areas that are accessible within seconds. Experts recommend having at least one extinguisher on every floor of the home, with at least one in the kitchen.
For more information about Fire Prevention, visit
www.fpw.org.
Always remember to Play it Safe!
This important safety message is brought to you by your Union Hospital Emergency Trauma Team.