Family Fire Safety Tips

This Healthful Zane Excerpt, from the Guide to being Human.

 Focuses on Some simple tips for Family Fire Safety.

Fire Safety is Pinnacle. This is especially true where we Keep our Children and where we choose to sleep. Fire is Preventable and can be countered or evaded. Unfortunately however, It can just as easily be a Trap and quickly Fatal. There are Many causes to residential family home fires. These range from sleeping while smoking to faulty and/or old wiring. Most all are created from a prior unknown problem but none the less it us usually something that could have been prevented had it not been Overlooked, or far too comfortable that Fire is not a threat to take seriously. However that statement could never be more wrong. With all our technology it Still results in The Highest rate of in home unnatural Fatalities In Fact the smoke alarm is credited to be one of the Greatest Life Saving, Preserving, Technology of the 20th Century. Owing its success to the EIGHTY PERCENT DROP in house fire fatalities since its institution into American and eventually all of humanities lifestyle. That being said I will go over several TipsFor Prevention and Protection of your family in the situation of a Fire, However, when it comes to Fire Safety you can never be TOO PREPARED,. In fact when ever possible, it is a good idea to have "Fail Safe" or a back up. Fire systems and Electronic Alert systems Should ALWAYS be present. To ignore technology that had Saved MILLIONS of Lives is Prefect planning for Disaster. Electronics should not be your Only line of Defense. Just don't shrug off the obvious tried and true Benefits they offer. Now to the Actions, things that can be done to Prevent, Prepare, and Protect when its Needed. Now take a Day after you read this and go threw this list and complete every task.

Tip One

Stop smoking. Seriously, cigarettes are responsible for a Great amount of Deaths threw fire and an even Greater amount of house fires. Smoking brings an otherwise absent fire into the house. A "Smoldering" Fire waiting to grow and reproduce. That's what a cigarette is. A small smoldering stick, with the potential to ignite any and all combustible material it comes in contact with. If you must smoke, cigarettes, marijuana, crack cocaine, or what ever else is popular. Always remember, it is BURNING. Good practice is to smoke "outside" in a designated area with a LARGE heavy free standing (non-flammable) container filled with Sand or clay. Be sure it is a "Non-Flammable" Container.
      I Personally have extinguished TWO "Ash Trays" that caught on fire after being used and not cleaned. On one situation where my Neighbors ash tray caught on fire, i was coincidentally stepping out onto My front porch to light a cigarette when i noticed across the Street my neighbor had Flames climbing up the side of his house. From where I stood I could tell this "fire" was not suppose to be there. Seeing the size of the flames I yelled to my wife, grabbed my fire extinguisher and raced across the street. No sooner had I put out the fire did my neighbor walk out to, Ironically Light ANOTHER Cigarette.... After explaining what I was doing there covered in Sodium Bicarbonate holding an extinguisher, we observed it was the Cigarette "Butts" that initially ignited the WOOD box they were in. The obvious moral there its not only to keep the disgusting, tobacco smelling container Clean, but to also use a fire proof container. and even Smoking outside its a "Smoldering Stick" Looking to Grow. Choosing to smoke outside takes that opportunity for "Accident" with a lit Cigarette out of the Equation. Not to mention it well increased the Air quality and over all in home environment. Do not Smoke in your "Bedroom". Don't even keep ashtrays in your bedroom. And if you MUST smoke inside use water ash trays and dispose of butts IMMEDIATELY.

   Equipment. Here I will quickly list the MUST haves. Later on we will discuss important items, these next few however are an ABSOLUTE MUST..

  Fire Extinguisher. A standard residentially designed fire extinguisher. These can be purchased at any hardware, or home supply store. Many fire dept. Also distribute house hold fire extinguishers. There should be at least one for every two rooms in the home. One should Always be available in the kitchen. These life saving tools should be up to date, functional and centrally located. Make sure Every competent occupant in the home is aware, of its purpose, its Use, and Location. It would be wise to spend the money if toy have young children and but one extra, that you can use to demonstrate, and allow your children and family to Practice while running a Family Fire Drill.
  Smoke Alarm/Fire Detector. The institution of this devices is fortunately Required by most governing institutions in the Untied States, However these only require they work when inspected. It is up to You, to make sure they are up to date and functional. You should have a UL listed smoke Alarm in Every Room in the house. The best ones utilize both hard wired power supply as week as battery back up . No matter which one you use make sure the Battery us ALWAYS good. Test your smoke alarms regularly that is also a good time to run a family fire drill. Some smoke alarms (the Best) Synchronize to a panel and then directly to your local fire dispatch.
Safe areas and Blankets. Locate escape areas, Doors, Large Windows. Alternate areas that your can retreat to without being cornered if main exits are blocked. Hall closets and other areas are great for placement of extinguishers and blankets. Fire Blankets can be ordered online and can Save your life. These should be used to jump through windows if needed our protect your body from flames while escaping the inferno of a house fire. Fire blankets can also be used to put out in your path to allow escape. Or to smother and hopefully extinguish smaller fires before they spread. These should be made of heavy Fire Retardant Material and kept dry. And are definitely a MUST have.
There are many more things we can and Should do to be prepared but this next tip like the ones before is a MUST....

  Fire Plan and Practice, Practice, Practice..

   Print out a layout of your home. Sit with your spouse, roommates, or other responsible adults in the home and lay out the quickest escape from each room of the house. Mark this path in green for each room. No image that way is blocked, figure a completely different route and mark these new routes with orange. Take a third look and image all those routes are compromised and find one more, Mark tosses final routes in green. Now set a meeting area outside away from the home in a open uncovered area with the highest level of Both Day and Night Visibility. Now take a Day and go through Each of these routes with your family, netting at the meeting place and communicating with Emergency Personnel. After you have laid out your plan be sure that all members of the family know how to contact Emergency services such as 911.
The Preceding are MUSTS. That means, make it HAPPEN TODAY. No excuses. Just do it! This is your Family we are talking about here. This IS the difference in life and Death.

Now we will move on to the "Tips". Theses are just a few things that can help.

Common Sense, however it does very often seem like the Least Common of the Senses. Look for areas of "High Heat". Some examples are the kitchen itself, the oven and stove, Microwave, Behind Refrigerator, Dishwasher or compactor. Make sure the areas around these appliances are open and not closed off or cluttered. Make them a "point of interest" (Refer to People Programming). Pay attention too weather or not these areas stay cleaned. This focus now, may help to grab your attention if in the future it becomes hazardous. Make sure to clean all cooking oils and grease from these areas, do not store flammable items in these areas. Check the appliances for build up of dust that may ignite, thus can usually be removed with a vacuum attachment. Have a solid set station for disposing of grease. This will prevent out from being purred in drains, trash our left in containers that can spill. Also kitchen grease is the reason for a Great number of Kitchen injuries. A set Repeated process of draining the grease will lead to Less chance of accident. Us you have gas appliances be sure toAlways keep them clear of Flammable materials, also be sure to have proper CO detectors, to alert of possible toxins. A Fire blanket should be kept with the extinguisher in the kitchen.
  Laundry Room appliances also generate large amounts of heat. And can pose as a perfect environment for a growing fire. The combination of heat (Appliances), and Fuel (linens, lint, gas, random household cleaners and items). This union can have a catastrophic consequence. One basic Tip, do Not use you're laundry room as maintenance storage. Don't store ALL Chemicals in any one location. It is recommended that they be divided into 3 Categories Safe, Toxic, Flammable. The latter two should not be stored within the confines of the home. Be sure there is sufficient space behind the washer and dryer. Do not allow items stacked ON the washer or dryer. As this will lead to a bad habit and a great place for a fire to grow. Be sure the exhaust outlet is cleaned and properly designed, don't assume the contractor did this correctly, it has all to often not been the case. You can look up the requirements using the make and model of dryer. Make sure power supply to dryer looks to be in Prefect shape. Do not Cut Corners Here. Make sure the water supply connections to the washer Do Not Leak. A small leak can cause Shock, Fire resulting from Short, or just Flood damage, either way, Fix the leak. Make sure water outlet is clear and away from power supply, if thus is not the case , have it corrected by a professional. Be sure, especially if gas fuel is used, to check all pockets for items that could combust in the dryer such as lighters or ammunition. And Yes it Has happened.


 

In writing this Fire Safety Preparation Guideline. I looked to many Resources, Statistics, Reports, Manuals, and Training Videos. Along with this present research, I must also give Great deal of Credit to for Years of experience in running blast furnaces and a beginning in Scouting, as well as witnessing Several Structure Fires first hand one being my own Family's Home.

Now however, we will focus on intensity. Fire is used in the formation of some of the hardest, the strongest materials in use today. Fire is an unforgiving ruthless machine of consumption, Driven by the very Basic laws of physics. It is Super Efficient and Predictable in the way in which it Consumes, Grows, Acts (at least here on Earth). Being steadily driven by Blind, but Precise Chemical Reaction that forces it to Act or and React in a predictable Manner with All the Elements and Conditions in any given situation. This might be Great news if, Perhaps, you are the most Intelligent Human on the Planet in the Entire History of mankind with Perfect Knowledge of EVERY LAST ATOM in your current environment.... Yes, as predictable as it is ( And it Truly is) It is also so Exact that any given arrangements in the matter and circumstances its Environment down to the very basic molecules will Directly Result in a Specific outcome. Although the latter statement is in No way reassuring. It Is VERY Important that you understand the Unforgiving force and how Easily, Simply it can come to be.

WHATS THE “MATTER” WITH FIRE?

There are many different types of Material (Matter) inside and outside of your home. Many of these you may already know a Little About. As This is designed to help a Family to Prepare,Prevent,and Prevail, in the Horrible instance a fire should arise. It only makes Sense that the Area to be Protected should First be Subjected to an In Depth analysis??? Right now go to your utility area and Fetch a copy of your in Home Manifest.... Don't have one? But think right now you are wondering, “What is in my Home”.. Right well we will figure that out now...

There are metal components in household appliances that may Actually “Burn” or Even “Combust” if ignited. Magnesium for instance. An Metal used in Many different Alloys in our Daily lives, can Often be found at many different levels of Concentration. This Particular Alloy Burns at an Extremely High Temperature, However it can Be Ignited at a Much lower one. Also this Nasty little bugger has a bite. Trying to put it out with water and it will launch back a Barrage of Fireballs White Hot And Ready to Burn through Steel. Must Municipal Fire Management Crews can only evacuate the area and watch the show if a Mag Alloy of 30% or more is ignited. This might sound out of reach but these things all contribute to that Awesome Destructive Environment that could grow in your home. Another often overlooked Fuel Source in the home is Rubber and/or Plastics. These Not Only offer a Ready supply of Fuel, but the Consumption of those Hydra-carbon materials often create a fire of Intense Heat, Increased Volume and High Toxic Emissions. These include, extension Cords, Plastic Toys, TV(Also included are metals), Any Rubber Objects,Cable Wiring, And Much More. You should be Getting an Idea in your mind of what to look for.

Before we go on I would like to interject at this point, the fact that in listing the above Items it is not implied to remove them all from the home. Not at all the case. Many of these things are in some ways necessities, Some are even Built into the Home itself. What this section provides is a Guideline in your mind. A type of Human Software so to speek. By reading and thinking of these items as possible hazards your mind will begin to Step up when you need it to. From this day forth you will view these objects and Ideas with a New Understanding and Respect. This will cause you to be more efficient. Get the things you need, and dispose of the things you don't. You pay attention to hazards that would have normally went unseen. You will find that after learning info such as this and implementing it ONLY Once, has Proven to Lessen not only household accidents but also results in an over all increase in the families success in life. You will walk by a cord and Notice a cut that may shock your Spouse or child, or even short to cause a fire. You will notice that the Glass of Soda is in a Bad spot on a Shelf above the PC, and Now saved Hundreds of Dollars and h Ours of Headaches. With That its now onto the Exercise.

Keep it real simple. The last paragraph was a little Motivating. However when I set out to write this I wanted it to Help people. The Only way I can do that is If you Benefit from reading this. So to that end this Exercise is quite important even if only done simply. I would encourage a more in depth analysis but For today complete the basics.

A reasonable inspection of your Home can Help you Understand all possible Threats and also Resourses. Go through Your Home Room By Room. To Start this take a Sheet of paper get a pencil and walk the Parimeter of your home, sketching as you go. When you are finished you should have the outline of your home (Including any and all attached structures). Now make take a tape measure and layout Each room, using the dimensions to refine the map. Once completed, sit at your table and take a few or more than a few, Moments to refine it. Straighten Edges, Erase unwanted marks. When your happy and have something that you will be proud to show your spouse and children make 4 copy s of your map.

Now Looking at your Map, using the Front Door as your Start point Go to the first room on the right.(This Will continue clockwise until all rooms are completed).Set your map in the Room and with a pen and notepad begin writing down all the objects in the room. This is where the more specific the better. Label for instance: Bed-Metal(Steel)-Mattress,Fire Retardant-Sheets,Flammable Linen

Nightstand-wood,Flammable Wood-Cosmetics, Combustible Chemicals/liquids

Abbreviate Flammable with Fl, Non-flammable with NFL, Combustible CBT, Chemical CHM, Rubber RB, Gas Fuel, GAS, For level 1,2,3, 1Being Most Flammable for instance a Can of Car Starting Fluid would read: CBT-CHM-FL1. Do NOT Abbreviate the LIST Only on Map

Once you listed all the items in the first room return to your table. Now with the notepad and one of your maps begin to layout, using your codes (NFL or FL) the different materials arranged in the room. As you do this “Hot Spots” may begin to appear. Trends as to where the most reactive materials are as opposed to the more inert items. Now grab the Map you just labeled and in a clockwise direction go into the next room. The Garage or any attached structures are to be included in this assessment.

Now once you have Completed the last room, Return to your table, Examine your listed map. Search out the “Hot Spots” and Identify what and Why they are. Now Naturally your mind is going to begin automatically assessing the new info you fed it and will start Churning out Brilliant Ideas of New Safer Arrangements. The question will pop into your head, “Why would I EVER put that there?” But More over you will be not only making your home Safer, But you are Streamlining your home in a progressive manner.

You should take the time to Copy the Listed Map. It is a GREAT Idea to let your children Each have a Copy of the Family Safety map.

Practice Practice Practice

Fire Drills are of GREAT Importance, especially when small children are involved. These MUST be done. Repetition Builds both Strength and confidence. And as we all know Knowledge is power. I’m sure you must feel the same or else you would not be taking the time to LEARN how to better protect your family..

FEAR;

Unfortunately this little known fact, is definitely a FACT. Children below the age of 10 have a Protective instinct. When afraid small children natural look for an enclosed or otherwise “covered” space or place to hide. This may work for “some” threatening situations. Fire, however unfortunate, is NOT one of those situations. A hiding child can be difficult for an evacuating parent or sibling to find in the Intense environment of a home fire. This can be even harder for a Fireman or other emergency responder, and even worse if the child perceives the EMS or Fireman as a Stranger. It is for this reason that public schools work with young children to introduce them not only to Fireman but also to familiarize them with the odd looking protective gear they wear. The only way to prevent your child from hiding in this situation is to understand what makes them hide in the first place.

The human mind, is an astounding device. The most complex computer the world has. It can compute terabytes of information in less than a second. While the children s mind seem to be in a state of rapid processing as a safety system it reverts to set processes at times of intense confusion and assimilation. When it receives Too Much information, it stops thinking and just records. This becomes evident when your child repeats something he or she should never have learned, but was probably said while the child was present but engaged in other activities. In times of fear there is another set reaction. When a Child’s mind is filled with fear it sets into motion a simple directive, “Hide” to aide in self preservation. Much of the conscious thought is muted and instinct takes over. We cant really stop instincts, we can however strengthen or upgrade so to speak. To do that what we want to do is train the child’s mind on “Where” to hide, instead of convincing them “not” to hide. Instead of causing conflicts in the mind we should reinforce these instincts, “Strengthen” the self preservation so that these natural born skills are refined and Ultimately save the life as they were intended. This type of Instinct refinement, strengthening will continue through life with different situations when it is taught early in life. Today we speak of fire safety, this exercise however will show your child how you not only “Value” preparation in life and strengthen through repetition. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP.

To Strengthen the hide instinct you must first lay out your “Meeting” area which for this exercise we will refer to as the “Hiding” Place. This is where the exercise starts. Inform your children that This is the “SAFE” place. This area should Appear safe. I would recommend that this be an area that is in open and can be seen by your neighbors. Explain to the child “Why” or “What” about this particular place is “Safe”. Be as detailed as possible. You should try to explain it, but depending on age that may be more or less difficult. It is none the less important, these facts will reinforce that it is a “Safe” place. The child may not understand the words and all their meanings, they do however trust you, the “Parent” and when the little learning brain is asking questions you need to fill the holes. This will solidify the “Safe” Place as point of fact. Remember the Idea is to send the Body Here, when the Brain is overwhelmed with fear. That is also why you want to feed it as much reasons Why the spot is safe. Throughout this exercise each time you and your children make it to the meeting place ask them to repeat a reason for that spot, then inform them of another reason. Now I recommend a weekend dedicated to this initial practice. Then revisit it every couple months, However if done thoroughly it Will stick in their mind.

The trip out of the home may offer many different situations. This depends on the type of danger or fire. The location of the initial threats. And any obstructions that are in the way. Remember fires happen at the Most inopportune times. To that end you want to run several Drills. For the first 3 drills have the exit route cleaned in organized as it would be on a perfect day. Run the first drill having the children follow you through the route at a fast brisk walk. Once you reach the meeting point have the family hold tight to each other and celebrate the success. Net let the children go it alone but follow behind to pay close attention to their ability to make it through and what may stop or grab their attention. While going through these first runs use your memory of day to day life and look around for hazards that are not in the way now but often times would be. This could be toys or a pile of clothes that is often in the hallway, baby gates that may be strung out. Gather these items to prepare for runs we will do later. On the third run explain to the children that smoke rises. This smoke contains poisons that are not only bad but can also make them fall asleep. So on this third run have them pretend that there is smoke above their heads and that they will crawl along the floor quickly to the Safe Place, standing to walk only once they have exited the door. Now depending on the age they may or may not complete the crawling excersisee on the first try. Continue to repeat the crawling exit until it is run without an incident at least 2 times.

Now that these initial runs are completed we will take a moment to Celebrate. Remember when celebrating to at least at first a group hug is best. The Closeness and celebration will link these actions “The Runs” with a Family “Embrace” which for most all children and family relates to the closeness of safety. Remember the whole purpose is to make this a Natural reaction. An “Instinct” take time in this celebration to let your children know that they have done a great job. Conversate with them and get their input on what they think of the family training and what ideas they may have.

Now while they are taking a break lay out your obstacle course, the items that may be laying out on any given day. Bring the children back into the home and practice four more times. Walking and Crawling. By now you and your family are probably ready to call it a night.

Next is Extra important, to solidify this exercise into their brain we need genuine fear. This will also offer a good practice test so that you will know if you have in fact achieved your Goal in preparing your family for disaster. Not that night or even the next night, but at least 3 days later and not more than six wake them up in the middle of the night using your smoke detectors and run the drill. You and your spouse should take every measure to make it seem real. Once everyone has reached the Safe place. Inform the children of the job they did and celebrate. Important if they made mistakes, Now is NOT the time to correct them. Instead when you and your spouse return to your bed before falling asleep, talk back and forth about what you noticed, the strengths, and weaknesses you noticed, weather the children seemed to be in control or not. Write down all that you noticed and follow up the next weekend by running a few revised drills to strengthen the weak points and to show off the strong ones.

Not only will this Exercise teach your family a skill that can SAVE THEIR LIVES, but you also just had a memorable experience that Educated and made your children wiser, Stronger, and More confident. These are the Healthy Habits that Strengthen Family bonds.