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HomeSafeHome:  Fire Safety from a Fire Chief  |
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luvnlife
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
Michele
Quincy
WA
USA
82 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 03 2008 : 7:01:09 PM
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I am the Fire Chief for my rural fire department and for nearly 20 years I have been sharing tips on how to make homes safer to live in as far as fires are concerned. One thing I share with my local elementary students annually, is E.D.I.T.H.=Exit drills in the home. It sounds corny but it's catchy. First draw a map of your home, including every livable floor with TWO means of escape in case one is blocked by fire. Also include a meeting place on your map. Obviously, your first means of egress is out the door, if that is blocked then it's the window. This may mean purchasing one of those chain ladders for multistory homes. I also talk about walking (not running) out of the home, leaving everything behind, do not go looking for the cat or dog etc... and make sure your meeting place is away from overhead powerlines or propane tanks, fuel tanks and the like. Someplace out by the mailbox, or in an open field or even across the street. And once you're out, stay out. Many people have been killed needlessly because they went back in to find a family member that isn't in there or they go in to fetch the family pet. And when the plan is drawn up, practice it twice a year. Little kids really get into this and can be a big help with their crayons and markers in drawing the map. My girls are high school age and we still do this and the help me do my presentations to the younger school children also.
And of course, test those smoke detectors monthly, replace the batteries at least annually. I do mine every time change, twice a year. I may have lots of extra nine volt batteries around but I know every detector is operating at maximum efficiency. My families welfare is worth more than the cost and effort of replacing a few batteries. And after seeing numerous houses in rubble, I don't think you can have too many smoke detectors around. A minimum of one for each floor but ideally one near each bedroom. Which is where you'll probably be sleeping when you'll need to smoke detector most! The piece of mind that EDITH brings is priceless.
Dance like no one is watching! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2008 : 8:21:45 PM
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Thanks Michele!
That's all great advice. The safety and peace of mind are well worth the time and effort for sure! Also another tip is to make sure you have the proper grade fire extinguisher, and have at least two in easy to find but separate locations. Not all fire extinguishers are the same and some are bad for certain types of fires.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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luvnlife
True Blue Farmgirl
82 Posts
Michele
Quincy
WA
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 09:30:58 AM
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I wholly agree that one must have available fire extinguishers. An ABC type extinguisher is very popular and easy to come by. It is good for almost all types of fires found around the home and barn including electrical. I'd recommend atleast an extinguisher the size of a 2A10BC. It will say the size right on the side of the cylinder. A 2A10BC will provide only about 30 seconds of firefighting power. Not very much but effective if sprayed in a sweeping pattern back and forth across the fire while aiming at the base of it.
Also, take it from my experience, have metal head extinguishers recharged annually even if the gauge reads full. I've had seemly good aged extinguishers only work for less than a five seconds on a fire, even though the gauge read full. If you'd rather have a plastic head extinguisher, they aren't rechargeable and should only be kept for 15 years but they are less expensive to buy.
May you never have to use an extinguisher but if so, be thankful you kept them serviced properly. Many extinguisher companies will gladly put you on an annual service contract which makes it nice so you don't have to remember when was he last time they were recharged.
Dance like no one is watching! |
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HomeSafeHome: Fire Safety from a Fire Chief |
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Fire Safety from a Fire Chief
