Did you know that most fatal fires occur when people are sleeping, and this is usually between Midnight and 6 a.m.?  For this very reason, it’s so important to have smoke detectors/alarms in your home or apartment. They will wake you when there is a fire, giving you time to escape. People who don’t have smoke detectors may not wake up in time to escape the killing heat, smoke, and flames of a house fire. From the time that your fire alarm sounds on average, a person has roughly 2.5 minutes to escape their house. This will never be enough time if you are not prepared.   

 

Fire Safety Information Follows:

• Most fire deaths occur from smoke rather than burns. As a house fire burns, it gives off toxic gases, often carbon monoxide, which can kill.

• Smoke detectors are, therefore, one of the most important life saving devices you can own. Every home/apartment should have at least one smoke detector. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years. Fresh batteries should be introduced to any smoke detector at least once per calendar year. (Every 12 months/365 days)

• Fire extinguishers can be used to put out small fires and can help clear an escape route. Don’t waste time trying to put out a house fire, however; that’s the fireman’s job. Your job is to escape.

• Multi-purpose fire extinguishers are important household safety devices. The extinguishers labeled “ABC” are the best ones to buy; they can put out most fire -- wood, paper, cloth, flammable liquids, and electrical wires/appliances. • Don’t use water on a grease fire. Instead use baking soda, a fire extinguisher, sand, etc.

• If your bedroom is above the first floor and you don’t have a fire escape stairway outside one of your bedroom windows, you should have a fire escape ladder. If you are unsure what these are please click here...Fire Escape Ladders!

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Should the stairway ever be blocked by fire, you’ll  need to have an escape route from the window. Fire escape ladders are collapsible and can be stored in a closet or under the bed.

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• You should always sleep with your bedroom door closed. Should a fire occur, the closed door will temporarily hold back the heat and the smoke.

• Plan your fire escape route and have practice fire drills regularly. It is recommended that a fire drill is performed at least every three (3) months. This is especially important if you have recently moved, if your home has been recently renovated or your apartment complex has done recent renovations. In a new apartment or house check all of the windows. Make sure that your exit will not be blocked in any event. 

 

What would you do first if you woke up at night and discovered there was a fire in your home and the smoke alarms were blaring?

 

Fire Escape Tips:

• Stay low, roll from the bed. Do not sit up and jump out of bed just in case there is smoke in the air.  

• The air temperature at the level of the bed will be cooler (although it will be probably warmer than 100 degrees) than the air a few feet above the bed (probably 200 degrees or more).

• Fire officials recommend that you roll from the bed to the floor.

• Temperatures will be lowest there. Then crawl along the floor where the air will be less smoky and the heat less intense. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth (if possible, a wet cloth). Touch the door before you open it.

• If it is hot to the touch, do not open it.

• Use another escape route. If it’s cool, brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly.

• Be ready to close the door quickly if smoke or heat rushes into the room.

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Should Your Residence Catch Fire:

Get out quickly! Do not waste time trying to put out the fire. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s house. Every second counts! If you cannot escape through the door, use the window.

If you’re on the first floor, you’re in luck. If not, choose a window that overlooks a ledge or roof that you can climb onto and wait for help to arrive.

Remember, if you sleep above the first floor and do not have a fire escape stairway outside one of your bedroom windows, you should have a fire escape ladder.

If no ladder is available, straddle the window sill by putting one leg out the window and keeping the other inside. Keep your head outside and wait for help.​

 

Three very important words to remember if your clothes ever catch fire are:

STOP --  Stop where you are. Do not run.

DROP -- Drop to the ground or floor and cover your face with your hands.

ROLL -- Roll across the ground to smother the flames.