Fire Prevention

Most people only think about the effects of fire when they hear a fire truck roll down the hill or sirens in the distance, a faint smell of smoke in the air.  For other's it is much closer to heart as they have suffered through the ravages of a fire.  Each year thousands of homes are left burning in ashes and memories are gone up in smoke.  The photo albams, pictures on the wall, keep sake items and yes even your cherished items left by passed family members all burned up.

The adverage citizen does not even know how to stop a fire when in possession of a fire extinguisher, for the most part they forget they have one or can't reach it even if they remembered it.  Stashed away under the kitchen cabinet or away in the pantry or in the shop building where you were last grinding away.  Some of you know this is familiar because it happens all the time. 

It is important to keep those things which are life safety measures handy and that all family members who are able to understand know how to use a fire extinguisher if they must.  Remember it is not a toy so small children should not play with or accidently discharge the extinguisher.  First off, place the extinguisher approximately four foot from the floor mounted to a wall which is accessible by adults.  Make sure you read and understand the directions; they are simple just point the nozzel at the fire, aim, squeeze the handle and sweep side to side. 

In the event the fire is caused by flammable liquid or grease it is important  to allow the powder substance coat the top of the liquid.  This can be accomplished by aiming at the base of the fire in the event of a flammable liquid spill or grease which is on fire on the oven top.  However, when a pan of grease is on fire you may use the inner side of the pan to help disperse the extinguisher powder evenly to coat the grease and smother the fire.

In all cases, fire consist of three main elements and with out either of which the fire will not exist.
1.  A fuel source
2.  A heat source
3.  Oxygen

Select a extinguisher that best meets your needs, in most cases that is a dry chemical type ABC extinguisher.  However, when working with ordinary combustibles such as paper goods, or working around your hay bailer, lawn or burning trash common water is the best agent to have.

Remember, your smoke detector.  When is the last time you changed its battery?  Probably dead right.  A smoke detector is a cheap source of detection equipment that can save lives, sometimes it may detect smoke from cooking or pick up on steam from showers if too close to these areas.  Place the detectors in hall ways, near bed rooms and living areas.  To reduce on the likelihood of false alarms you might try a heat detector in the kitchen area and around bathrooms which seem to normally set off a smoke detector. 

Some thing most home owners should know, a few insurance agencies provide reductions in rates for alarm and fire protection devices installed in the home.  So check into the reduction rates your office may provide and don't be affraid to invest into something that may potientially save you or your family's lives.

Develop and practice a escape plan, reherse the escape plan.  Establish a designated meeting location in the event family members become seperated.  In some case it may be necessary to exit a window, therefore plan and make possible a escape route in areas where egress may become blocked.

Follow the safe planning for your home and you may avoid the same mistakes that lead to a home burning up, remember when leaving for trips to turn off heat producing devices.  And never store fuel near a heat souce or gas fire water heater; the vapor from the fuel can ignite and set your house ablaze.  Thank you.

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