Smoke Detectors
Did you know? Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Having a working smoke alarm more than doubles one's chances of surviving a fire. Nearly half the residential fires and three-fifths of residential fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms. Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.
Smoke Alarms Life-Saving Tips
• Place a smoke alarm on each level of your home and outside all bedrooms.
• Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.
• Change the batteries in your alarms twice a year - perhaps when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do - leave the building immediately by crawling under the smoke when they hear it sound.
• If cooking smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the range fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm.
• Do not remove the batteries to put in other appliances such as personal stereos or games.
• Smoke alarms wear out over time. Replace yours if it is 10 years old or more.
• Consider buying a lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which will operate for 10 years and is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
Escape Planning
Did you know? Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Senior citizens and children under the age of five have the greatest risk of fire death. Deaths due to not being able to escape a fire are particularly avoidable. Having a working smoke alarm more than doubles one's chances of surviving a fire. Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.
Escape Planning Life-Saving Tips
• Make sure everyone in your family knows two routes to escape from bedrooms.
• Buy a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
• Keep the fire department's number by the phone.
• Have a flashlight by your bed, to help you see and a whistle to alert your family.
• Practice feeling your way out of the house with your eyes closed.
• Never open doors that are hot to the touch.
• Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.
• Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance.
• Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department.
• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
Fire Prevention Programs
The East Hartford Fire Department provides fire prevention programs at schools, businesses, and social organizations as well as at its five fire houses. Programs are available for audiences of all ages. If you would like to schedule a visit with your group contact the Fire Chief's Office at (860) 528-4171 ext. 400.
Kerosene Heaters
Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon build up. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room ventilation. Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.
Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. Never introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type of fuel.
Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When fueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid over filling. DO NOT use cold fuel as it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
Refueling should be done outside the of the home (or outdoors). Keep young children away from space heaters - especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.
When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.
Be sure the fire place or stove is installed properly. wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36") from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.
Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed.
Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for sometime.
Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15 - 30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
Don't use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by over building the fire.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide
Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace can easily ignite these materials.
Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house
If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing high levels of carbon monoxide.
Furnace Heating
It is important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shut offs are in proper working condition.
Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
Inspect walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.
Check the flue pipe and seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.
Other Fire Safety Tips
Never discard hot ashes inside or ear the home. Place them in a metal container outside and away from the home.
Never use a range or oven as a supplemental heat device. Not only is a safety hazard but it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
If you use an electric heater be sure not to over load the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load.
Avoid using electric space heaters in the bathroom or other areas where they may come into contact with water.
Never thaw frozen water pipes with a blow torch or other open flame, otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space. Use hot water or a UL-labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event that a fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.
If there is a fire hydrant on your property you are required by town ordinance to keep it clear of snow so that in the event it needs to be needed, it can be located.
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