Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Alarms

Ok, so perhaps this post I mostly did for my benefit, but maybe a lot of you are in the same boat as me and this will be beneficial to you as well. Of course, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are vital when it comes to home fires, but they are not things that we think about on a daily basis, at least for me.

It's not until I started interning with the American Red Cross and the recent wildfires in Central Texas, that I realized how prevalent house fires are and how much of a disaster they can cause. Being Fire Prevention Week, I thought it would be a good idea to learn more about the proper care of smoke alarms and use of fire extinguishers and share this information on here.

Fire Extinguishers

• Make sure you are trained by your local fire department before using a fire extinguisher.
• Only use a fire extinguisher if it is a small fire that has been contained and fire department has been called.
• Make sure everyone in the home has evacuated before using.
• Remember the word PASS:
• Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and others.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Step two is in preparedness is to make a plan. Meet with your family or household members to discuss how to prepare and respond to disasters that are most likely to happen where you are whether you are at home, school, or work. As a way to get everyone involved, assign a specific task to everyone in the household and work as a team. This way everyone has a better idea of what to do.

Map out and practice an evacuation from your home in case of a fire or any other emergency. Have a plan of where you would go whether it is a hotel/motel or a friend's home in a safe location. Practice your evacuation plan at least twice a year and plan alternate routes in case roads may be blocked. Also, don't forget about your furry friends, and have contact information on pet friendly hotels/ motels and animal shelters that are nearby.

In case your family is separated have a plan of how to contact each other. Plan to meet outside the home in case of a fire our outside of your community in case you are unable to go back home. Also, it important to have a person of contact who is not in the same household that you can get in touch with to inform family and friends you are safe and well. Make sure that your emergency contact is aware that he or she is your household's contact and that everyone has this contact information with them.

For more information about fire prevention and safety, visit here.

 

October 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week

American Red Cross volunteer inspects the damage of a house fire in Central Texas.

Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15, and the American Red Cross encourages families to learn more about fire prevention and what to do in case of a fire.    

House fires are the number one disaster that Americans face, and as the holidays and cold weather approach, house fires tend to increase. Locally, the American Red Cross of Central Texas alone responds to an average of one house fire every two days. 

Here are a few tips on how to keep your home safe:

• Make sure there is a working smoke alarm in every level of your home. Batteries should be replaced every year for most standard alarms.
• Develop an escape plan. It is important that everyone in your home to have an immediate escape plan in case of a fire.
• Keep matches and other fire related items away from children.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire like dish towels and plastic away from stove when cooking .  

In the coming weeks we will have more information on how to keep your home safe during the holiday season.