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: Download PDF.
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!
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
Check Your Home's Hotspots (PDF)
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)
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/
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/
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