Expert Advice | Natural Disaster

Fire Safety Tips For Kids: What Not To Do

Kids do not understand the dangers of fire and smoke and the havoc they can create if not used properly. Kids consider most of the things which can trigger fire like match-boxes and sticks, lighters, electrical equipment to be toys and like playing with them. It is very important to teach children about the impacts of these things at a young age. Educating children and making them aware about certain safety measures will make them responsible in the future as well.

There are some basic safety tips which should be followed by children in order to keep themselves fire safe. The first and foremost thing is to tell them not to play with anything that can cause fire. They may take a match-box and lighter very lightly, but it is the parentâ€™s duty to make them aware about the consequences of these things if not used properly. During any festivals it is important for the parents to stay along with their children in case they play with firecrackers. Children should never remain unattended during such festivals. Tell the children not to use a candle when no adult person is around them. Children in the process of growing up find certain things very interesting and try experimenting with them. Lighting paper to see whether it catches fire is one such thing which majority of the children tries during their growing up years. It is necessary for the parents to be aware of such facts and tell their children beforehand not to resort to such things. It is also important to make them aware that fire can get out of control in seconds and hence, a simple experiment can cause an outbreak of fire.

If children are made aware of the cause and effects of fire right from the beginning, they will take good care and precaution so that such incidences do not occur.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Fire Security, Prevention · Tagged With: Child, Child Safety, Childcare, Family, Health, Home, Parent, United States

Safety Tips For Kids: What To In Do Case Of A Fire

Teaching and educating children from a very young age about the effects of fire helps in making the children responsible. Some small precautions in such matters go a long way in preventing a massive disaster. However there are times when even after taking several precautions, a fire breaks out due to some other reasons.

Along with what to do & not do in order to prevent a fire, it is therefore, essential to teach them what to do in case a fire breaks out. If clothes catch fire, a kid should not panic. One should stop the kid, drop him in the ground and roll over and over the ground with the face and mouth covered. It will prevent the fire from spreading. A kid should also be told about the emergency exit during time of fire. A home escape plan should be chalked out by the parents. It should be practiced with the kids several times so that they know the way out even when the parents are not there. The planning and practicing exit drills will make the children confident in saving themselves in the absence of any adult member of the family. The children should also know that there are firefighters who will come to their rescue in case of a fire. They should know that the firefighters will look different and make a sound like a big breathing machine. Hence, in case a child is stuck at a smoke filled room and hears or sees someone like that, they should immediately ask for help. It someone gets burned by fire, the affected area should be placed immediately under cool running water if possible. Otherwise even pouring cool water on the wound will help in preventing further damage to the skin.

These things should be taught to the children so that proper measures can be undertaken immediately without any delay.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Fire Security, General, Prevention, Resources · Tagged With: Child, Education, Emergency exit, Family, Health, Home, Parent, Smoke-filled room

Public Fire Safety

: Image via Wikipedia

Fire safety and management tops the priority list of not only the firefighting agencies but also the other public agencies. There are a number of guidelines which have been adopted for public fire safety. Some of the guidelines are basic, general while the others are specific to certain areas. The general parameters should follow the public universally in order to reduce the incidences and risks of fire disasters.

One of the universally followed guidelines is that fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment should be kept wherever necessary. Be it a high-rise building or an apartment, fire extinguishers should be readily available. Fire outbreaks are emergencies, hence, during such circumstances people should get hold of any such equipment at the earliest. It is the responsibility of the builders and administrators to keep fire extinguishers wherever it is necessary. The next in line is the emergency exit door which should remain unblocked and noticeable. People who regularly use the building and even the visitors should be aware about the presence of the exit door. It should not be blocked with any other things and there should be signage showing the path to the door. Such a door is extremely important during the evacuation process in case of a fire. There have been incidences where people were not aware about the emergency exit door and were not able to evacuate a building on time. In order to minimize the risk of fire, combustible and flammable materials should be stored in a safe place. A mere flicker on these materials can create havoc beyond imagination. To uphold the public safety, fire sprinklers and alarms should also remain in place. They play a great role in controlling the spreading of the fire in a building or apartment.

Along with these public safety measures, every individual should be aware that a small positive role on their part can play a substantial role in reducing the effects of a fire outbreak.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Fire Security, General · Tagged With: Building, Fire, Fire extinguisher, Fire prevention, Fire Safety, Fire sprinkler, Public safety, Tower block

The Elderly and Fire Safety

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Fire safety is a subject which has to be drilled into the heads of the people so that they can be aware of the factors that are prone to cause fire and injure them. The people who are the most susceptible and needs to be reminded about the hazards of being careless when it comes to fire safety are the children and the aged.

The aged people are more prone to hazards caused by fire mainly due to age related problems. The first and foremost problem which becomes prominent in old age is the forgetfulness of things. This can lead to many problems, like forgetting about the candle burning or about the fire that was left open in the room and was forgotten to be put off.

The aged may not be able to react as fast they want to because there may be age related problems like immobility or slow movements due to age or medication which can render them helpless when a fire breaks out. They may be people who stay at lonely and isolated locations which may not be able to produce immediate help from outside.

Other reason which contributes to vulnerability to fire hazards is the facts that they use ancient electric equipments which are prone to be dangerous. What ever the case, they need to be aware of the danger they may be in. for this, the best thing to do is to keep notes which would remind them to turn off the source which can be dangerous.
Another help can be done through replacing old appliances with highly safe and simple ones. They can be discouraged from using such things as wooden stoves so that they may be safer from fire hazards. A little bit of care and help can help the aged and save them from fire hazards.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, General, Prevention · Tagged With: Building, Dormitory, Emergency evacuation, Fire prevention, Fire Safety, Firefighter, London, Smoke detector

Measures for Fire Safety

: Image via Wikipedia

A fire can occur at any time and anywhere. It may be due to some problem which is always overlooked like the use of an old stove or an ancient electrical appliance. Whatever the reason, you should always be aware of the hazards and take action to keep any fire related dangers at bay. This can be done by following a few simple and easy steps.

The first step would be to install a fire extinguisher in all the floors of a building and also every six to seven meters if the building has a lot of width. This would ensure that anybody can use the extinguisher rather than running around looking for it when an accident occurs. They may not even be near the extinguisher when everything is over. So keep it in places easily accessible to people.

The fire blankets can be very helpful in case of a fire. These are specially designed safety devices which can extinguish the fire. But do keep in mind that the fire blanket has a limit up to which it can extinguish the fire. When there is a big fire this might prove to be a limited option.

The fire safety alarms are other popular safety devices. The alarms can warn you about a fire in the building or the house if it is too far away for you to notice. These should be installed in as many places as possible so that the fire can be detected quickly instead of waiting it to come to the room where the alarm is installed.
So you can see that there are many precautions which can be taken. Keep a first aid kit ready so that you can always be prepared if any injuries occur. Fire safety depends on the attitude of the people and how they handle the situation.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Prevention · Tagged With: Business, Fire, Fire extinguisher, Fire prevention, Fire Safety, Industrial Supply, London, Safety

More Fire Facts

: Image via Wikipedia

Deep down, we know that fires are deadly, but if we imagine being caught in a burning building, many of us may think we can handle the situation. We may have delusions of grandeur as we imagine rescuing our loved ones or co-workers, like people do in the movies. However, the reality is that usually, we are no match for a fire’s power. If we accept this, it makes it more likely that we will make smart choices if we do find ourselves in a fire. Here is some information that we may already know, but revisiting it is probably wise since it will serve as a reminder of just how dangerous fire can be.

Heat Danger

Obviously, fire is hot. However, what some people don’t realize is just how hot the air in a burning room can get. If you’re standing up in a burning room, the air temperature can measure 500 degrees or more – hot enough to burn your sensitive breathing passages and lung tissue. This is one of the reasons that we learn to crawl around in a fire (the other reason being that crawling allows us to inhale less smoke).

Fire Is Darker Than You Think

Though we usually think of fire as something that provides light, a house fire can, in fact, be quite the opposite. The dark smoke that a fire can create can fill a house, blotting out the light and making it difficult to see. Another good reason to crawl.

Smoke Kills

In fires, most people do not die from the fire itself – they die from smoke inhalation. The toxic smoke and gases that house fires create are deadly because they can make people pass out, both from their toxicity and from the lack of oxygen in the air. Unfortunately, this lack of oxygen deprives us of our normal acuity, making us slower to think and react.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Fire Security, Resources · Tagged With: Fire Facts, Heat Danger, Smoke Kills

Useful Fire Factoids

Reading about statistics can be depressing, particularly when they describe death and destruction. And though becoming obsessed with such statistics is not healthy for us, often, we can glean some practical information from them. In the case of fire, analyzing some statistics illuminates some helpful information. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some sobering yet educational facts about fires.

Cook With Care

The leading cause of house fires is cooking. Though these are not the deadliest kind of house fires, since usually people are awake when they are cooking, these fires are obviously still dangerous to people and their property. Cooking fires usually happen as a result of people leaving something unattended on the stove or in the oven. They usually are not the fault of the stove or oven malfunctioning. A good way to prevent cooking fires is to never go too far from the stove if you’re using it. Also, having a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen is a must.

Stop Smoking

Though they are not the most common house fires, fires caused by smoking materials are the deadliest fires. Part of the reason for this is that still-burning cigarettes often start fires when people are sleeping. Obviously, quitting smoking is a great way to prevent smoking fires, but if you’re not willing to quit, it’s helpful to make sure furniture and bedding in your home is made of flame-retardant material.

Deliberate Fires

Perhaps surprisingly, arson causes the most fire-related deaths after smoking. Arson is the term used when someone maliciously starts a fire. This type of fire is probably so deadly because many arsonists start fires at night, when people are sleeping. Also, arsonists often try to create the biggest fire possible in the shortest amount of time. Arson also includes wildfires that are set deliberately.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, Fire Security, Prevention, Resources · Tagged With: Cook With Care, deadliest fires, Deliberate Fires, Fire Factoids, Smoking

Early Fire Safety

Fire safety and fire management were thoughts that too often escaped the minds of city planners and developers in the past. The art of building a fire was first harnessed by species that predated man on the evolutionary time line. The art of building a fire dates back to at least 25,000 years ago. The Neanderthal was able to manufacture fire. Early humans placed fire at the center of their cultures. It was worshiped as a gift from the gods and with good reason. It could clear brush, cook, provide warmth and defense against wild animals or other humans.

Due to the importance of fire in the development of human civilization it is easy to understand why people were more concerned with creating fire than restricting it. But as human civilization evolved so did the importance of fire safety. In the United States, organized attempts to control fire predate the founding of the nation. A 1654 law in New Amsterdam, the city that would become New York, ordered that buildings would no longer be allowed to construct wooden chimneys, which had the unfortunate habit of joining in with the flames. Boston officials dictated their own ordinance in 1654, as each homeowner was required to own a ladder long enough to reach the ridge of the roof and a pole that was about 12 feet long.

Despite these early attempts at regulating fire, the ordinances could not keep up with the rapid expansion of the United States. As pioneers headed west, fires were used to burn down forests and clear the paths for new cities and towns. American cities burned often in the 17th and 18th centuries. There was a shocking lack of building codes during this era in American history. And the American attitude of pushing forward at a rapid pace came at the cost of safety.

A survey conducted in 1855 found that for every 323 buildings in London there was one fire. In New York, the ratio of fires more than doubled so that there was a fire for every 146 buildings. Fire safety was a work in progress.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, General, Prevention · Tagged With: Building code, New York, New York City, United States

How Good Is Your Fire Escape Plan?

Your family’s safety is obviously paramount. Your children get regular check-ups at the doctor, they go to the dentist every six months, they wear their seatbelts, and they look both ways before they cross the street. Undoubtedly, you’ve taught them something about the dangers of fire and what they should do in the event of a house fire. However, it can be a good idea to review this information with them, particularly in the case of a fire escape plan. During a real house fire, it may be difficult or even impossible to communicate with your kids, so they’ll need to know what to do without your help. Here is some advice about a fire escape plan – it may help your kids remember what to do, especially if you explain the whys to them.

Every Six Months

Just like a trip to the dentist, a fire escape plan review should happen at least every six months, so it stays fresh in your family’s minds. In a tension-filled situation like a house fire, it can be more difficult for people to think clearly. Due to this lack of clarity, people need to be on auto-pilot in the event of a fire. Regular practice of an escape plan makes it easier to children to do the right thing in a fire without pausing to think.

Two Ways Out

Your fire escape plan should also provide multiple exits. It’s impossible to predict where the fire will be if it happens. If a door is unusable, there should be an alternate way to get out of a room. Children should be taught to feel doors before they open them to test if they’re safe – if a door is warm to the touch, it should not be opened, and another exit should be sought.

Filed Under: Expert Advice, General · Tagged With: Fire Escape Plan, house fire

Fire Safety Basics

As schoolchildren, we are usually taught the basics of fire safety. Slogans like “stop, drop, and roll” and “don’t play with matches” are common. As we get older, one science teacher or another might explain to us how fire works. But as adults, we sometimes forget exactly what makes a fire burn. Then, if we find ourselves in situations where fire threatens us, we might make the wrong decision – for example, we might throw water on a grease fire. With this in mind, let’s review some of the fundamentals of what happens when something burns. If we take any of the following elements away, we can extinguish the fire.

Heat

For fire to burn, heat is required. The heat can come from another burning material, a chemical reaction, or from a natural source. Heat is what sets off the chain reaction that causes whatever is burning to keep burning. Taking away the heat by doing something like throwing water on a fire can stop the chain reaction.

Oxygen

Fire also requires oxygen to burn. This is why we must be so careful in environments, like hospitals, where the concentration of oxygen in the air can exceed normal levels. In these conditions, fire can spread much more rapidly. If we cut off a fire’s air supply – by smothering it with a blanket, for instance – we can stop it.

Fuel

Perhaps obviously, a fire requires fuel to burn. The chain reaction that results in burning needs something to keep it going. Grease, wood, and paper are just a few examples of fuel that a fire can use.

Chain Reaction

Lastly, the chemical chain reaction in a fire makes it burn. Too complex to describe here, a fire’s chain reaction can be stopped with any of the above methods, or by a chemical method. For instance, if we spray a fire with halon gas, it will slow down the burning chain reaction enough to extinguish the fire.

Filed Under: Expert Advice · Tagged With: chemical chain, Fire Safety Basics, Heat