fire safety drrr

• People feel the safest in their homes, however residential properties are where most fires and fire deaths occur
• 76% of all structure fires occurred in residential properties
• 97% of structural fire deaths occurred in residential properties
• Top fire causes


  • Cooking (49%)
  • Open Flame (10%)
  • Heating (9%)
  • Incendiary/Arson (8%)
  • Smoking (4%)

  
• Smoking is the leading cause of fire fatalities
• Personal vigilance


  The best way to avoid and survive fires
• Cooking Fires


  1. Pay attention to what you're cooking

  2. If you leave the room, turn off the stove

  3. Don't cook if you're sleepy or impaired
• Nearly half of all home fires originate in the kitchen
• Reduce Your Chance of a Cooking Fire

  1. Keep flammable items away from heat sources

  2. Keep flammable cleaners away from heat sources

  3. Clean your stovetop frequently to avoid grease build up
• Grease Fires


  • Always have the matching lid nearby
  • If you have a small grease fire you can smother it with the lid
  • NEVER PUT WATER ON A GREASE FIRE

  
• This video shows one cup of water on an inch of burning grease
• Smoking Related Fires


  • Cigarettes can smolder for hours
  • Don't smoke inside
  • Discard smoking materials in a fire safe container
  • Use a proper, heavy ashtray which won't tip easily
  • Don't smoke in bed
  • Don't smoke if you're tired, taking medications, or if you've been drinking or are otherwise impaired
  • After a party, check indoor and outdoor furniture and cushions for smoldering cigarette butts
• Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths
• Candles


  • Unattended candles are a leading fire cause
  • Use flameless candles
  • When you leave the room, blow out the candle
  • Keep anything that could burn at least a foot away: curtains, clothes, paper, etc.
  • Don't set the candles on anything combustible
  • Fires can start when the candle burns down to the base
• Electrical Safety


  1. Do not overload electrical sockets

  2. Do not run cords under rugs or furniture

  3. Avoid putting cords against walls or across doorways

  4. Use power strips equipped with overload protection

  5. Make sure all power strips and extension cords are tested and approved by a laboratory such as UL (Underwriter's Laboratories)
• Escape Routes


  • When the smoke alarm sounds, you may only have seconds or minutes to escape safely
  • Have a meeting place for everyone to gather outside
  • Plan two ways out, in case one way is filled with smoke or fire
  • Know your escape routes and practice them
• Important Safety Elements


  • Alarms (Smoke, Carbon Monoxide)
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Smoke Alarms


  • Breathing smoke can kill you
  • Smoke is toxic
  • If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke
  • Make sure you can hear the alarm in every place in your home
  • They should be loud enough to wake you from sleep
  • Check them once a month
  • Change the batteries once a year
  • Replace them every 10 years
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms


  • Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas
  • Minnesota law requires carbon monoxide alarms in all homes, within ten feet of all sleeping areas
  • Symptoms of CO poisoning mimic flu-like symptoms
  • If you're feeling symptoms, immediately move to an open window or go outdoors
  • High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes
• Fire Extinguishers


  • Know how to use them
  • Have them mounted in an obvious spot near an exit
  • When in doubt, get out!
• Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

  • Fire sprinkler systems save lives and reduce damage to your property
  • Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire
  • 90% of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler

  
• If you have a fire...

  1. Leave, close the door, and call 9-1-1 from outside

  2. Report ALL fires to the fire department, even if you think you put them out

  3. Don't ignore alarms!

  4. Once you're out, STAY OUT!

  5. Don't go back inside for possessions or pets

  6. Notify the fire department if anyone is unaccounted for

  
• You never know when it could be a real fire
• Ways to reduce your risk of fire

  • Stay focused when you're cooking
  • Use candles responsibly, or not at all
  • Don't overload electrical sockets or misuse extension cords
  • If you must smoke, be responsible for your smoking materials
  • If someone is smoking in or near your home, check to make sure that all smoking materials are properly disposed of
  • Have a fire safety plan and practice it!
  • Have working smoke and CO alarms
  • Be responsible