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dart through the smoke and flames to escape. However, doing so increases
your risk of igniting your clothing or becoming overwhelmed by smoke,
causing injury and possibly death.
The key in any fire emergency is to remain calm. These guidelines
will help you make sound decisions as you follow your escape route,
if you come in contact with smoke or flames, or if you consider
trying to fight the fire.
Use Your Escape Route
If Clothing Catches Fire
Fight Fire Only if You Know How
Sprinklers Offer Added Protection
| 1. |
Feel for Heat Before Opening Doors
Opening doors without first checking them for heat can cause
smoke and flames from the fire to rush into a room, overwhelming
you in seconds. Before opening a door along your escape route:
- Use the back of your hand to feel for heat on the door,
knob and space between the door and frame.
- If the door is warm, do not open it; use an alternate
escape route.
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| 2. |
Exiting Through Smoke
If you encounter smoke in your escape, use an alternate route.
If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees.
There is a temporary zone of breathable air about 1 to 2 feet
above the floor.
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| 3. |
Escaping from Upper Levels
If your primary exit is impassable, and your your secondary
exit is above the first floor, do not drop to the ground.
Try to climb down an escape ladder, balcony, porch, tree,
or garage.
If you cannot escape,
- Shut the door to the room.
- Prevent smoke from entering the room by using duct tape,
towels or clothes to seal cracks above, around and under
the door.
- Open the window a few inches at the top and bottom to
allow fresh air in at the bottom and smoke out at the top.
Shut the window tightly if the airflow begins to draw smoke
into the room.
- If the room has a phone, call the fire department and
tell the dispatcher which room you are in.
- Wait at the window and wave a flashlight or light-colored
cloth to help firefighters find you.
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If your clothing catches fire, don't run. The air rushing by you
can fan the fire and cause it to spread quickly. Instead:
- Drop to the ground.
- Cover your face with your hands.
- Roll back and forth to smother the flames.
If someone else's clothes catch fire, and he or she is unable to
stop, drop and roll, then throw a heavy blanket or rug over the
person to put out the flames.
If you or a family member use a wheelchair or are unable to stop,
drop and roll, plan ahead by mounting a small personal-use fire
extinguisher in an accessible place and keeping a flame resistant
blanket nearby to smother flames.
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Use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a small fire
only if you know when and how to use one properly. Fires spread
very quickly, so if you are unsure about your ability to operate
an extinguisher, don't guess. Get out and call for help. Property
can be replaced, but lives cannot.
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"Had she needed the fire extinguisher,
she was so excited, I don't think she probably
could have used it. So I think it's wise to have
a fire plan and to practice it, and to have an
escape plan and to practice that. Everyone thinks
it will never happen to them."
Daryl
McIlwain,
whose wife Chizue experienced a cooking fire
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| 1. |
Choose the Right Model
First, you must be sure that you have the right extinguisher
for the type of fire likely to occur in your home.
Extinguishers are labeled with standard symbols or letters
for the classes of fire they can put out:
A - Paper, wood and ordinary combustibles.
B - Flammable liquids.
C - Energized electrical equipment.
An extinguisher labeled A:B:C can be used on all three classes
of fire.
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| 2. |
Maintain It
- Periodically review the manufacturer's operating instructions.
- Check the expiration date(s) of all extinguishers in your
home.
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| 3. |
Know When to Use Extinguishers
If you are highly confident that you can operate one safely,
then use an extinguisher only if:
- The fire is small and confined.
- Family members and visitors have been evacuated.
- The fire department has been called.
- You have a clear escape route.
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| 4. |
Remember PASS
Pull the pin and release the locking
mechanism.
Aim the extinguisher nozzle at
the base of the fire.
Squeeze the discharge lever slowly
and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
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A recent study estimates that home fire deaths could be reduced
by 82% in single-family homes equipped with automatic sprinkler
systems and smoke alarms. Many people believe that home sprinkler systems are costly,
messy and unattractive. This is not the case. Modern sprinkler systems:
- Discharge water only in the immediate area of the fire.
- Can put out most home fires before the fire department arrives.
- Are unobtrusive.
- Add only 1 to 1.5% to the total building costs for new construction.
- May earn you an insurance premium discount.
If you are renovating or building a home, consider installing automatic
fire sprinklers to protect your family and your property.
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When
It's Not a Drill
