FIRE IS FAST! There is little time! In 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly. There is only time to escape.
FIRE IS HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 90 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In three minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.
FIRE IS DARK! Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black. Fire starts bright, but in minutes it becomes black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented, and unable to find your way around the home you've lived in for years.
FIRE IS DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of these gases can make you drowsy and disoriented. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS In the event of a fire, remember time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape first. Develop a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Practice feeling your way out with your eyes closed. Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning building for any reason; it may cost you your life. Finally, having a working smoke detector dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire and remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
For additional information, contact the Fire Prevention Department at 870-425-2611.
A Fact sheet on Home Fire Prevention More than 4,500 Americans die each year in fires and more than 60,000 are injured. An overwhelming number of fires occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It's not a question of luck. It's a matter of planning ahead.
EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE SMOKE DETECTOR Buy a smoke detector at any hardware or discount store. It's inexpensive protection for you and your family. Install a smoke detector on every level of your home. A working smoke detector can double your chances of survival. Check it monthly, keep it free of dust, and replace the battery at least once a year.
PREVENT ELECTRICAL FIRES Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas. Immediately shut off and have professionally repaired, or replace appliances and lamps that sputter, spark or omit an unusual smell. Have an electrician check the wiring in your house.
USE APPLIANCES WISELY When using appliances follow the manufacturer's safety precautions. Overheating, unusual smells, shorts and sparks are all warning signs that appliances need to be shut off, then replaced or repaired. Unplug appliances when not in use. Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets, especially if there are small children in the home.
ALTERNATE HEATERS Portable electric space heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away. Keep fire in the fireplace. Use fire screens and have your chimney cleaned regularly. The creosote buildup can ignite your roof and the entire house. Kerosene heaters should only be used where approved by authorities. Never use gasoline or camp-stove fuel. Refuel outside and only after the heater has cooled.
AFFORDABLE HOME FIRE SAFETY SPRINKLERS When home fire sprinklers are used with working smoke detectors, your chances of surviving a fire can increase to 90 percent. Sprinklers are affordable--they can increase property value and lower insurance rates. New technology allows sprinklers to be connected directly to your standard home plumbing system. Individual sprinkler heads are only activated where fire strikes. Consider a home sprinkler system whenever renovating, buying or building a house. Contact the fire department for more information.
PLAN YOUR ESCAPE Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Feel your way out with your eyes closed. Caution everyone to stay low to the ground when escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Purchase an approved chain ladder to climb out of rooms above the first floor, and practice using it. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Get everyone out quickly, and then call for emergency assistance from a neighbor's home.
CARING FOR CHILDREN Children under five are naturally curious about fire. Many play with matches and lighters. Tragically, these children set over 100,000 fires every year. Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching your children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Practice fire safety in your home by following these tips:
Keep matches and lighters in a safe place. Look for signs of fire play, such as burn holes in carpets, clothes or furniture, burnt matches in a closet or under the bed, or disappearing lighters or matches. Teach them not to hide from a fire but to get out and stay out. Have regular safety drills with your family. Practice escape plans.
CARING FOR OLDER PEOPLE Every year 1,000 senior citizens die in fires. Many of these fire deaths could have been prevented. Seniors are especially vulnerable because many live alone and can't respond quickly. Show your concern for an older person by reminding him or her to: Never smoke in bed and when smoking anywhere else, put out cigars and cigarettes immediately if drowsy. Never leave lit cigars, cigarettes, or pipes unattended. Never wear dangling sleeves or loose garments when cooking. Turn off burners when leaving the kitchen. If cooking food must be left unattended, take a potholder or spoon as a reminder. Finally, having a working smoke detector dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire and remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
A Fact sheet for Older Americans
The facts speak for themselves: Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at greatest risk of dying in a fire. Every year more than 1,000 Americans over age 65 die in fires. People over the age of 80 die in fires at a rate three times higher than the rest of the population. Many of these fatalities occur where there is no working smoke detector. However, there are a number of precautionary steps older Americans can take to dramatically reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty.
UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS Why Are Older People at Risk? Older Americans are at risk for fire death and injuries for a number of reasons:
They may be less able to take the quick action necessary in a fire emergency. Often, they are on medication that affects their ability to make quick decisions. Many older people live alone and when accidents happen others may not be around to help.
What Fire Hazards Affect Older People? Cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire related injuries for older Americans. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home. Cooking can mean danger where a loose sleeve could catch fire from the stove, or a pot left on a burner can become a major fire if forgotten. The unsafe use of smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths among older Americans. Heating equipment is responsible for a big share of fires in seniors' homes. Extra caution should be used with alternate heaters such as wood stoves or electric space heaters. Too often, the heaters become a fire hazard, particularly when newspapers and other combustibles are nearby. Faulty wiring is another major cause of fires affecting the elderly. Older homes can have serious wiring problems, ranging from old appliances with bad wiring to overloaded sockets.
SAFETY TIPS FOR OLDER AMERICANS
Kitchen Fires. Most kitchen fires occur because food is left unattended on the stove or in the oven. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the burners and take a spoon or potholder with you to remind you to return to the kitchen. Never cook with loose, dangling sleeves. Robes and other loose-fitting garments can ignite easily. Grease is extremely flammable; keep all cooking surfaces clean. Heat cooking oils gradually and use extra caution when deep-frying. If a fire breaks out in a pan, put a lid on the pan. Never throw water on a grease fire. Turn pot handles toward the side of the range, and always use a potholder when reaching for handles. Never use a range or stove to heat your home.
Space Heaters. Buy only UL-approved heaters. Check your heaters often to make sure they are in good condition. Burning fuel can produce deadly fumes; only use them in well-ventilated areas. Use only the manufacturer's recommended fuel for each heater. Do not use electric space heaters in the bathroom or around other wet areas. Do not dry or store objects on top of your heater. Keep combustibles away from heat sources.
Wiring. Regularly inspect your extension cords for fraying, exposed wires or loose plugs. They are not intended for use as permanent wiring. Unplug them when not in use. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, do not use a simple extension cord. It's better to get a UL-approved unit that has built-in circuit breakers. Never run electric cords or extensions under rugs or in high traffic areas.
Smoking. Don't leave smoking materials unattended. Don't put ashtrays on arms of sofas or chairs where they can be easily knocked over. Use safety ashtrays with wide lips. Empty all ashtrays into the toilet or a metal container every night before going to bed. Never smoke in bed. Burning sheets and blankets may create a fire from which escape may be impossible. Finally, having a working smoke detector dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire and remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
A Fact sheet for Teaching Children Fire Safety
Every day Americans experience the tragedy of fire. Each year more than 4,500 Americans die in fires and more than 60,000 are injured. Fire statistics show that each year about 450 people are killed and $135 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire.
The Mtn. Home Fire Department (DFD) encourages parents to teach children at an early age about the dangers of children playing with fire in an effort to prevent child injuries, fire deaths and prevent fire setting behavior in the future. Below are some facts about children and fire safety.
CURIOUS KIDS SET FIRES
Children under five are curious about fire. Often what begins as a natural exploration of the unknown can lead to tragedy. Children set over 100,000 fires every year. Children make up 24% of all fire deaths. Nearly 45% of the fires that kill children under 5 are set by children playing with fire. At home, children usually play with fire in bedrooms, in closets, and under beds where there are a lot of things that catch fire easily. Too often, child fire setters are not given proper guidance and supervision by parents and teachers. Consequently, they repeat their fire setting behavior.
PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY IN YOUR HOME Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time. Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet. Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters. Check under beds and in closets for burned matches, evidence your child may be playing with fire. Develop a home fire escape plan, practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside. Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY! Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help from another location. Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out in the case of fire. Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if their clothes catch fire. Install smoke detectors on every level in your home. Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke detector. Check the smoke detector each month and replace its batteries at least once a year. Replace the smoke detector every ten years. Finally, having a working smoke detector dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
If your child has been playing with fire or you would like to learn more about the Child Fire Setter program, contact the Fire Prevention Department at 870-425-2611.
A Fact sheet on Home Electrical Fire Prevention
Electrical fires claim the lives of 200 Americans each year and injure 1,500 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.
The Mtn. Home Fire Department would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.
THE PROBLEM During a typical year, home appliance and wiring problems account for 50,000 fires, hundreds of deaths, and $600 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.
THE FACTS December is the most dangerous month for electrical fires. Fire deaths are highest in winter months which call for more indoor activities and increases in lighting, heating, and appliance use. Most electrical wiring fires start in the bedroom.
THE CAUSE Home Appliances-Most electrical fires result from home appliances that produce "controlled heat," such as irons, electric blankets, and hair dryers. In urban areas, however, portable heaters are the primary cause of home electrical fires.
Electric Stoves: are involved in 25 percent of home appliance-related fires. However, these fires are mostly the result of careless cooking rather than the stove's malfunction.
Portable Heaters: Portable heaters cause the most residential fire deaths, while "controlled heat" appliances are the leading cause of residential fire injuries.
Electrical Wiring: In urban areas, faulty wiring accounts for 40 percent of residential electrical fires. Twenty percent of home electrical wiring fires can be traced to the misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords immediately. Use electrical extension cords wisely and don't overload them. Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen. When buying electrical appliances look for products which meet the UL standard for safety. Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers. Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters. If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord. In bathrooms and kitchens, always have ground fault interrupter (GFI) receptacles. Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker. Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets. Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, gives off smoke, or sparks. Finally, having a working smoke detector dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire and remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family .
A fact sheet on The Nature Of Fire Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. However, most people do not understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families. Each year more than 4,500 Americans die and more than 60,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. The Mtn. Home Fire Department wants to assist you in educating you about fire, and believes that fire deaths can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts about fire. Below are some simple facts that explain the particular characteristics of fire.