Fire

Fire preparedness

Before the fire: Install SMOKE ALARMS. Place them on every level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.

Escaping the fire: Review escape routes with your family. Practice escaping from each room. Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.
Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level.

Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer) when escaping from a fire.

Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate.

Flammable items: Never use gasoline, benzene, naptha, or similar flammable liquids indoors. Store flammable liquids in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.

Discard all rags or materials that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container.

Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher than the roof. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

Heating sources: Be careful when using alternative heating sources. Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community. Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.

Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.

Use only the type of fuel designated for your unit and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Store ashes in a metal container outside and away from your residence.

Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.

Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.

Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.

Electrical wiring: Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician. Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.

Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring. Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.

Do not overload extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.

Make sure insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.

Other: Sleep with your door closed.

Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in your residence and teach family members how to use them.

Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.

Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention.

During a Fire

If your clothes catch on fire, you should:

Stop, drop, and roll – until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.

To escape a fire, you should:

Check closed doors for heat before you open them. If you are escaping through a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and the doorframe before you open it. Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat – burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e. ladders and crawling).

Hot Door: Do not open. Escape through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.

Cool Door: Open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as a window. If clear, leave immediately through the door and close it behind you. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor.

Crawl low under any smoke to your exit – heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. In a fire, heat at the floor level is 90 degrees, at head height the temperature is 600 degrees and at the ceiling the temperature is 800 degrees. Heat at over 150 de3grees will knock you unconscious and kill you.

Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.

Stay out once you are safely out. Do not reenter. Call 9-1-1.

Did you know? a fire burning in a house for 1 minute grows to 3 times its original size. In 4 minutes it grows to 11 times it size, and in 6 minutes, it reaches 50 times it original size.

Following a Fire

The following are guidelines for different circumstances in the period following a fire:

If you are with burn victims, or are a burn victim yourself, call 9-1-1; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.
If you detect heat or smoke when entering a damaged building, evacuate immediately.
If you are a tenant, contact the landlord.
If you have a safe or strong box, do not try to open it. It can hold intense heat for several hours. If the door is opened before the box has cooled, the contents could burst into flames.
If you must leave your home because a building inspector says the building is unsafe, ask someone you trust to watch the property during your absence.

Fire Drills
Young or old, a fire in the home is a frightening, nerve-testing experience. Fire drills are still an important part of preparedness. Here are a few suggestions from a firefighter with children of his own. These suggestions are not written in any order of importance and are pertinent to young and old.

Change the batteries in your smoke and fire detectors. Keep them updated.

Plan a meeting place outside of the home.

Draw a basic plan of your house, indicating each door and window. Find 2 possible ways out of each room. Wait until it is dark, blindfold your children/grandchildren and have them crawl out of the house. Time them to see how long it takes to get out. This fireman also spins his children around before giving them the signal to get out.

Teach everyone to touch the closed door to see if it is hot. Everyone should check for heat using the back of the hand, and not the palm. In case the door is hot enough to burn the hand, having the palm burned makes it more difficult to crawl or use other methods of escape.

Teach the kids not to hide if trapped in a room. They can lie on the floor next to a wall and yell for help. The firemen will feel their way along a wall in a smoke filled room. The sound of a whistle carries better than a child’s voice. Consider keeping whistles by the bedside. Flashlights and lightsticks by each bed can also make a difference in being able to see to get out. If you suspect a gas leak, go for the lightstick (they will not create a spark).

Consider visiting a fire station for a family activity.

When away from home, be aware of which direction to exit a room and how many doorways to pass to reach a stairway or outside exit.

There are concerns about the number of deaths reported because of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially where power is out and people are trying to warm their homes. Check your CO monitor and see if it works only when there is electricity; if so, it will not detect carbon monoxide when the power is out. CO monitors labeled AC and DC current plug into the wall and have a battery back-up. Lowe’s and Home Depot carry them.

Fire Suppression

With so many fire extinguishers to choose from, selecting the proper one for your home can be a daunting task. Everyone should have at least one fire extinguisher at home, but it's just as important to ensure you have the proper type of fire extinguisher. Fire protection experts recommend one for the kitchen, the garage and workshop. It is also a good idea to have one near your computer equipment.

Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories, based on different types of fires. Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle. The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power. The following is a quick guide to help choose the right type of extinguisher.

Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish.
Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish.
Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.

Some fires may involve a combination of these classifications. Your fire extinguishers should have ABC ratings on them.

Wildfire Safety

To prepare for wildfires, you should:

Mark the entrance to your property with address signs that are clearly visible from the road.
Keep lawns trimmed, leaves raked, and the roof and rain gutters from debris such as dead limbs and leaves.
Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your residence.
Store flammable materials, liquids, and solvents in metal containers outside your residence at least 30 feet away from structures and wooden fences.
Create defensible space by thinning trees and brush within 30 feet around your residence. Beyond 30 feet, remove dead wood, debris, and low tree branches.
Landscape your property with fire resistant plants and vegetation to prevent fire from spreading quickly. For example, hardwood trees are more fire-resistant than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus, or fir trees.
Make sure water sources, such as hydrants, ponds, swimming pools, and wells, are accessible to the fire department.
Use fire resistant, protective roofing and materials like stone, brick, and metal to protect your residence. Avoid using wood materials. They offer the least fire protection.
Cover all exterior vents, attics, and eaves with metal mesh screens no larger than 6 millimeters or ¼ inch to prevent debris from collecting and to help keep sparks out.
Install multi-pane windows, tempered safety glass, or fireproof shutters to protect large windows from radiant heat.
Use fire-resistant draperies for added window protection.
Have chimneys, wood stoves, and all home heating systems inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least 3 feet above the roof.
Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

Follow Local Burning Laws

Before burning debris in a wooded area, make sure you notify local authorities, obtain a burning permit, and follow these guidelines:

Use an approved incinerator with a safety lid or covering with holes no larger than ¾ inch.
Create at least a 10-foot clearing around the incinerator before burning debris.
Have a fire extinguisher or garden hose on hand when burning debris.

During a Wildfire

If a wildfire threatens your home and time permits, take the following precautions:

Shut off gas at the meter. Only a qualified professional can safely turn the gas back on.

Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.

Turn off propane tanks.

Place combustible patio furniture inside.

Connect garden hose to outside taps. Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.

Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of your residence.

Gather fire tools such as a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel.

Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition and the car door unlocked. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.

Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.

Close windows, vents, doors, blinds or noncombustible window coverings, and heavy drapes. Remove flammable drapes and curtains.

Move flammable furniture into the center of the residence away from windows and sliding-glass doors.

Close all interior doors and windows to prevent drafts.

Place valuables that will not be damaged by water in a pool or pond.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Choose a route away from the fire hazard. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of the fire and smoke.

Before a Landslide or Debris Flow
Protect yourself from the effects of a landslide or debris flow:

Do not build near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways, or natural erosion valleys.
Get a geologic hazard assessment of your property.
Contact local officials, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, and university departments of geology. Landslides occur where they have before, and in identifiable hazard locations. Ask for information on landslides in your area, specific information on areas vulnerable to landslides, and request a professional referral for an appropriate hazard assessment of your property, and corrective measures you can take, if necessary.
If you are at risk from a landslide talk to your insurance agent. Debris flow may be covered by flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Minimize home hazards:
Have flexible pipe fittings installed to avoid gas or water leaks, as flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage (only the gas company or professionals should install gas fittings).
Plant ground cover on slopes and build retaining walls.
In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings.
Remember: If you build walls to divert debris flow and the flow lands on a neighbor's property, you may be liable for damages.

Recognize Landslide Warning Signs

Changes occur in your landscape such as patterns of storm-water drainage on slopes (especially the places where runoff water converges) land movement, small slides, flows, or progressively leaning trees.
Doors or windows stick or jam for the first time.
New cracks appear in plaster, tile, brick, or foundations.
Outside walls, walks, or stairs begin pulling away from the building.
Slowly developing, widening cracks appear on the ground or on paved areas such as streets or driveways.
Underground utility lines break.
Bulging ground appears at the base of a slope.
Water breaks through the ground surface in new locations.
Fences, retaining walls, utility poles, or trees tilt or move.
A faint rumbling sound that increases in volume is noticeable as the landslide nears.
The ground slopes downward in one direction and may begin shifting in that direction under your feet.
Unusual sounds, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together, might indicate moving debris.
Collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flow can be seen when driving (embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides).

During a Landslide or Debris Flow:

Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or portable, battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp weather.
If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives.
Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.
If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings.
Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows.

What to Do if You Suspect Imminent Landslide Danger:

Contact your local fire, police, or public works department. Local officials are the best persons able to assess potential danger.
Inform affected neighbors. Your neighbors may not be aware of potential hazards. Advising them of a potential threat may help save lives. Help neighbors who may need assistance to evacuate.
Evacuate. Getting out of the path of a landslide or debris flow is your best protection.
Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible.

After a Landslide or Debris Flow:

Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides.
Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.
Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
Help a neighbor who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
Look for and report broken utility lines and damaged roadways and railways to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.
Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding and additional landslides in the near future.
Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.