Fire Safety
 Wildland
Fires - Making a Defensible Space Around Your Home
What To Do If There's a Chimney Fire
Cooking Fires
Escape Planning - Get out Safely!
Home Fire Prevention
Bedroom Fire Safety
Hotspots: Wood Stoves, Space Heaters, Kerosene Heaters & Fireplaces
Make Your Fireplace Safe
What You Need to Know About Smoke Alarms
After a Fire
Just for Kids!
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Wildland Fires
- Making a Defensible Space Around your Home
Defensible Space is the base around our homes that will give firefighters
a fighting chance against fire. Find out more:
www.firesafemarin.org/defensible.htm
We need to become aware of the level of fire hazard where we live.
Hazards are rated as extreme, high, or moderate. The higher the hazard,
the greater the risk to our houses and the more we need to do to
ensure survival from an approaching wildfire.
Visit
Fire Safe Marin to Find out what to do.
Download a Defensible
Space Checklist (PDF)
Wildfires often begin unnoticed, then spread quickly, igniting brush,
trees, and homes. We can reduce our risk by preparing now before
wildfire strikes.
American Red Cross: Read
how to protect yourself and your home.
Download
as a PDF.
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What To Do If There's
a Chimney Fire
- Call 9-1-1. You may not need them, but if you
do, calling later may be too late.
- Gather all occupants of the building and be ready to
leave if the situation worsens.
- Cut off air to the fire. If you are using a
wood stove, close all its draft and damper controls. If you have
a fire in the fireplace, cover the opening with any rigid, non-combustible
material (but beware of strong suction caused by the fire). Do
not close the fireplace damper, as smoke from the fire in
the fireplace will then come into the room.
- Use a fire extinguisher. Best is a flare-like
one designed specifically for chimney fires. Ignite it like a road
flare and place it inside the stove or on the smoke shelf of the
fireplace. Regular CO2 extinguishers can also be used.
- Do not pour or spray water directly into the chimney as
the rapid contraction caused by sudden cooling may break some of
the tiles.
- Continue to check the outer surface of the chimney and
any inner walls near the chimney for excessive heat – even
if you know the fire is out.
- Check outside to see if any sparks and embers
blown out of the chimney are igniting the roof or brush.
- When the fire is out, sweep the chimney and
carefully check for any damage. Resolve to clean the chimney more
often!
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Cooking Fires
In 2002 alone, cooking-related fires caused an estimated 185,600
structure fires, 80 civilian deaths, 3,875 injuries, and $481 million
in property damage, according to a new report issued today by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration. Here
are some quick tips:
- First, care should be taken when cooking with oil, butter, or
other greasy foods that are highly flammable and can easily splatter
or spill from pots and pans. Cooking aids are available to limit
grease splattering.
- Do not attempt to extinguish grease-based fires with water as
it reacts violently when poured on hot grease or oil. Small grease
fires can be extinguished by placing a cover on the pan or smothering
the fire with baking soda. Alcohol, such as wine and liquor, used
in food preparation is extremely flammable.
- Loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing should not be worn while
cooking, as the cloth may ignite and potentially cause serious
injuries.
- The leading ignition factor in kitchen fires, unattended equipment,
should serve as a reminder to keep an eye on cooking materials
at all times. Be cautious when leaving cooking materials for any
period of time, such as answering the telephone or talking with
others.
- By simply double-checking that all dials on stoves and ovens
are off when cooking activities have ended, many fires can be prevented.
- Fire extinguishers should be within easy reach of cooks. Many
cooking fires occur under normal cooking conditions and cannot
be anticipated. The use of extinguishers can prevent small fires
from spreading. They are especially effective on those fires, such
as grease fires, that cannot be easily extinguished by water.
- Finally, all homeowners and renters should ensure that smoke
alarms are installed and are operating properly. Smoke alarms are
an inexpensive and effective way of detecting fires before they
get out of control.
U.S. Fire Administration
Download
the whole FEMA report.
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Escape Planning
- Get out Safely !
More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately
20,000 are injured. Deaths resulting from failed emergency escapes
are particularly avoidable.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes that having
a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you
and your family's safety if a fire occurs.
HAVE A SOUND FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
In the event of a fire, remember - time is the biggest enemy and
every second counts! Escape plans help you get out of your home
quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely
out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes
for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed
in flames.
- Practice Escaping From Every Room In The Home
- Immediately Leave The Home
- Never Open Doors That Are Hot To The Touch
- Designate A Meeting Place Outside and Take Attendance
- Once Out, Stay Out
- Finally, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of
your home
U.S. Fire Administration
Download
the details. (PDF)
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Home Fire
Prevention
More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately
20,000 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 Working Smoke Alarm
- Prevent Electrical Fires
- Use Appliances Wisely
- Alternate Heaters
- Affordable Home Fire Safety Sprinklers
- Plan Your Escape
- Caring for Children
- Caring for Older People
U.S. Fire Administration
Download
the details. (PDF)
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Bedroom Fire Safety
Each year, fire claims the lives of 4,000 Americans and injures
approximately 20,000. Bedrooms are a common area of fire origin.
Nearly 600 lives are lost to fires that start in bedrooms. Many of
these fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical
devices, such as overloading extension cords or using portable space
heaters too close to combustibles. Many other bedroom fires are caused
by children who play with matches and lighters, careless smoking
among adults, and arson.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Sleep Products
Safety Council (SPSC) would like you to know that there are simple
steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting
from bedroom fires.
- Kids and Fire: A Bad Match
- Appliances Need Special Attention
- Tuck Yourself In For A Safe Sleep
U.S. Fire Administration
Download
the details. (PDF)
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Hotspots:
Wood Stoves, Space Heaters, Kerosene Heaters & Fireplaces
Each year fire claims the lives of 4,000 Americans, injures 20,000,
and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. People living in
rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fire than those
living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood
stoves, portable space heaters and kerosene heaters are especially
common risks in rural areas.
U.S. Fire Administration
Get the details: www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/tips/hotspot.shtm
Check
Your Home's Hotspots (PDF)
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Make Your Fireplace
Safe
More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and
other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating
with wood and solid fuels.
Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural
areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in
chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular
maintenance to function safely and efficiently.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice
the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning.
Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops
With You!
- Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean
- Safely Burn Fuels
- Protect the Outside of Your Home
- Protect the Inside of Your Home
U.S. Fire Administration
Download
the details. (PDF)
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What You Need to Know
About Smoke Alarms
In the 1960's, the average U. S. citizen had never heard of a smoke
alarm. By 1995, an estimated 93 percent of all American homes - single
- and multi- family, apartments, nursing homes, dormitories, etc.
- were equipped with alarms.
The impact of smoke alarms on fire safety and protection is dramatic
and can be simply stated. When fire breaks out, the smoke alarm,
functioning as an early warning system, reduces the risk of dying
by nearly 50 percent. Alarms are most people's first line of defense
against fire.
U.S. Fire Administration
Get the details: www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/alarms/
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After a Fire
Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining
process.
When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the
hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire
Administration (USFA) has gathered the following information to assist
you in this time of need. Action on some of the suggestions will
need to be taken immediately. Some actions may be needed in the future
while others will be on going. The
purpose of this information is to assist
you as you begin rebuilding your life.
U.S. Fire Administration
Get the details: www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/atf/
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Just for Kids!
Here are links to websites that teach kids about fire safety through
interactive games, coloring books, and other activities.
Smokey Bear website: Educational games, activities. & information
about fire safety.
www.smokeybear.com/default.asp
Sparky the Fire Dog: Games & Activities, interactive chat – ask
Sparky questions.
www.sparky.org/
U.S. Fire Administration Kids: Education, games, & how to become
a Jr. Fire Marshall!
www.usfa.fema.gov/kids/flash.shtm
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