tel: 0800 97 57 999            email:  richard@firexcel.co.uk

Fire Safetly at Home

Towards a safer community with AFS FIREWISE

Our aim is to halve the local accidental fire deaths and injuries by the year 2005. The message that is being delivered through a series of presentations to business groups, clubs and local voluntary associations is:

• Know the most significant causes of fire and injury in the home.
• Understand the simple precautions that will help prevent a fire from occurring.
• Have a plan of action in the event of a fire occurring and practice your plan.

PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FIRE

How?
Remember the AFS Fire Survival Guide

Fact File:

• 90% of accidental fires never come to the attention of the fire service.
• During 1998 around 70,708 dwelling fires were reported to the fire service.
• 497 people died in a fire in their home during 1998.
• The majority of dwelling fires are preventable.

It is of some concern that recent Government Statistics show that despite the efforts of the fire service nationally, deaths from fire have risen by 14% over the last two years with casualties rising by 50% over the last decade.

The simple message in the event of a fire in the home is:

Prevention is better than cure.

1. They are sited correctly
2. They are tested regularly to ensure they work.
3. The batteries are checked and replaced regularly.

If you only have one alarm, then surprisingly, tests have shown that smoke alarms at the head of the stairs raised an alarm before those fitted down in the hall. If in doubt about where an alarm should be fitted, then contact someone with fire safety experience for advice.

YOUR FIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE

• Switch off all electrical appliances not designed to be left running continuously before you go to bed - especially blankets and heaters.
• Look out for warning signs of dangerous wiring.
• Hot plugs and sockets.
• Fuses that blow for no obvious reason.
• Lights flickering.
• Brown scorch marks on sockets and plugs.

• Never smoke in bed or when you are tired.
• If you have to put a cigarette down put it out.
• Make sure ashtrays are emptied and safe last thing at night or when you go out.
• Keep matches and disposable lighters out of the reach of children.

• Never fill a pan more than a third full.
• Never leave a pan unattended on the cooker.
• Never place the handle of the pan over the front of the cooker.
• Never carry a lighted pan, and never use water to extinguish a chip pan fire.

• Always follow the manufacturers instruction regard the use and maintenance of equipment.
• Avoid build up of heat within electrical items such as TV's, video's computers etc by ensuring that any ventilation slots are kept free from obstruction.

If a fire occurs you will only have a short time to get out - use that time wisely - don't just wait for a fire to start.

If it is safe to do so, close the door of the room where the fire has started. This will help delay the spread of the fire and smoke and give you and your family more time to get out.

If you suspect that there is a fire behind a closed door - leave it - don't open it.

1. Plan your escape route from every room.
2. Plan what to do if you are cut off by fire or smoke, it's not easy, but remain calm.
3. Close the door to help stop the smoke spreading into the room.
4. Go to the window - if the room is smoky crawl, it's easier to breathe nearer the floor because the smoke rises upwards.
5. Attract attention of your neighbour or a passer by.

Firefighting:

You should only attempt to fight the fire if it is still a small fire and there is no personal danger to you or the rest of the family.
Remember, if they have not been alerted about the fire and it gets out of control they might become trapped.

Fire extinguishers are only a first aid measure and should only be used to stop a small fire from getting out of control. Know what type of fire it is safe to use you extinguisher because using the wrong type can be even more dangerous than letting the fire burn. If you don't have an extinguisher then a bucket of water, a damp cloth or even turning off the power can be just as effective in the right situation.

Your next step

If you would like more information about fire safety in the home or at work; or would like to arrange for a presentation to be given to your group or association then please don't hesitate to call:

Richard Lock of AFS Firewise on Freephone 0800 57 87 999