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Fire: Major Structural According to the Red Cross, the third leading cause of accidental death in recent years has been fire. Most of these fires have occurred in the home, which is a particularly dangerous environment. Fire is always a possible danger, and a probable secondary disaster in the event of a major earthquake or flood. It is always important that you follow safety measures for fire prevention, detection, and escape. It is doubly important after an earthquake because regular fire fighters may not be able to get to you in time. Floods and other natural disasters will also spawn a large number of fires because of electrical shorts and severed gas lines. Prevention Most accidental fires can be avoided with a little care. Firemen have a saying that "a clean building seldom burns." Good housekeeping is the first line of defense against home fires. Do you practice fireproof housekeeping? There are several steps a family can take to minimize the possibility of a fire starting in their home and to minimize the effects of a fire should one occur. Install fire extinguishers in danger spots. The hand pump, inexpensive, 5-gallon, water type is preferred. Carbon Tetrachloride and other vaporizing liquid type extinguishers are NOT recommended for use in small enclosed spaces, because of the dangers of poisonous fumes. Make sure fire extinguishers are accessible and maintained. Keep a garden hose near the water faucet at all times, especially in the winter months when fire danger is greatest. Install adequate insulation at all heating locations. This is particularly important around wood and coal-burning stoves. Repair or replace defective or inadequate electrical wiring. Use only the proper size fuses. Replace frayed electrical cords or broken plugs. Do not run cords under rugs or hook cords over nails. Keep electric outlets safely loaded (no overloads).Keep appliances clean and in good repair. Perform required maintenance on heating systems. Dispose of trash immediately. Use only non-flammable cleaning fluids. Keep gasoline and other flammable liquids in tightly- closed metal containers. Do NOT use a combustible liquid to freshen a fire. Keep garage, basement, attic, closets, etc. free of rubbish. Keep the yard and garden well trimmed (no tall weeds, etc.). Use a fireplace screen. Install a spark arrestor on your chimney. Place curtains and drapes so that they won't blow into flames or touch hot surfaces from stoves, fireplaces, candles, etc. Supervise children playing near an open fire. Store matches in metal containers out of sight and reach of small children. Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove. Keep important papers and documents in a fire-proof box or safe. Install and maintain home smoke detectors. More lives are saved each year by smoke detectors than all other fire fighting tools and equipment combined. A home without one is only inviting trouble or tragedy. Instruct babysitters in fire and other emergency procedures. Post emergency numbers for the fire department on ALL telephones. Each family should have a pre-arranged escape plan for getting out of their home in case of fire. There should be at least two exits from every room (doors or windows). Determine a pre-arranged meeting area that all family members should go to IMMEDIATELY when they leave the home if it is on fire. This could be a tree in the front yard, the neighbor's porch, etc. This will facilitate taking a "head count" and could save the life of a would-be rescuer who returns to a burning building to search forsomeone who has already gotten out. If a major fire develops near your home, refer to safety rules in Fire: Forest and Wild Land section. Detection Statistics show that most FATAL fires occur while the family is sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases are the killers in most home fires rather than flames. Smoke detectors (either ionization types or photo-electric detectors powered by electricity or battery) can alert your family while the fire is still small, which may mean the difference between life and death. For minimum protection there should be a smoke detector between the bedrooms or sleeping areas and the rest of the house, and/or a smoke detector at the head of each stairway. The amount of detection equipment needed in your home or apartment will be determined by the size and floor plan of your living space, your life style, and how much money your family is willing to spend. (Your local fire department can give you assistance in planning your fire detection system). Escape If you are in a burning building, above all, remain calm. More people are killed each year through foolish actions caused by panic than by actual flames. If a fire does occur, your home might be saved if you know how to fight fires, act promptly, and have on hand some basic fire fighting tools. Give detailed fire fighting duties to each able family member so that you all learn to work as an efficient team. Be sure everyone in your home understands what starts fires, how they spread, and what can be done to control them. In a major earth quake, neighbors will have to work together to keep fires from spreading. When a fire breaks out evacuate yourself and your family members first, then call the fire department. If there is time and if you have the proper equipment to fight a fire and can do so without endangering yourself you may then begin to fight the fire the best way you can. Keep the following in mind to minimize dangers. Before opening an interior door feel the door, or the handle, to see if it is hot. IF hot or warm, do not open it if there is any other means of escape. Before opening a door take a deep breath and hold it. Hot air on the other side of the door could sear your lungs causing instant death. IF you must open a door, brace your shoulder against it so that you can slam it immediately if the air on the other side is hot. Close doors behind you to prevent drafts and to slow the fire spread. Crawl along the floor on your stomach because the air will be cooler and fresher there; hot air and poisonous gases will rise. If trapped in a burning building do not panic. Stuff drapes or clothing into cracks around the door to prevent smoke from entering your room. Open or break the windows at the top to let out smoke and poisonous gases. Open or break the window at the bottom and breathe from this point. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and report your exact location. If at all possible, get out of the building fast. Do not stop to dress, gather pets, valuables, or toys. Once out--stay out!! Smoke and toxic gases can kill you in minutes. Meet at the established meeting place outside as soon as possible. When two people reach the meeting place, one should leave to notify the fire department. The second should stay to report to the rest of the family that the caller escaped and has gone for help. Fire Drills Include fire escape procedures in your family earthquake drill, and hold separate fire drills on other occasions. Give special consideration for the very young, handicapped, and the elderly. Remember that smoke, some toxic gases, and heat rise. You can simulate fire conditions by crawling on hands and knees to the nearest wall and following it around to the door. Keep head about 18 inches from the floor and take short, small breaths while escaping. Never stand up! Cover mouth with a damp cloth if possible. Teach your family not to open doors if they are hot. Keep doors and windows closed to limit rapid spreading of the fire. When staying in a hotel or motel, the key to survival is you! Before making reservations ask about fire prevention measures ( sprinkler system and smoke detectors). Always know two ways to exit your room and the hotel(do not use the elevator). At first sign of fire, leave as fast as possible, taking room key. If you encounter smoke, take the second exit route or return to your room, close the door and call for help. Be sure to follow the steps outlined above. For children, a fire drill should be a wise mixture of seriousness and a game--never a scary experience. Children who have had fire drill practice at home will almost automatically do the right thing in a real emergency. Without such practice, they all too often hide under a bed or in a closet, which can mean disaster. Instruct babysitters on what to do in case of fire. Fire Extinguishers There are many types of fire extinguishers. It is best to read the labels and instructions. Not all types of extinguishers can be used on every kind of fire. Pressurized water extinguishers (Class A) are good for trash, paper, cloth, and wood fires, but are normally not used for flammable liquid (Class B) or electrical (Class C) fires. To extinguish a flammable liquid fire, first smother it. Then use an extinguisher marked for Class B fires. The extinguishing agent should cover the extra flaming liquid surface. Extra caution must be used when extinguishing electrical fires. Use a Class C extinguisher. This contains a non-conducting extinguishing agent that will prevent the user from getting shocked. A Class ABC extinguisher can be used on all three types of fires. Care of home fire fighting equipment. Keep tools that can be used to fight fire where they can be easily reached. Don't put the garden hose, rake, and shovel out of reach just because the gardening season is over. Check the hose for leaks and damaged connections. Make sure that faucet adapters are where they can be found quickly. Hang a ladder in a convenient location even when it isn't needed for painting or putting up window screens. Inspect the rungs to make sure they are solid and clean. Store buckets where they can be found when needed and keep them free of trash. Extinguishing Fires Under normal conditions, it is best to call the fire department immediately after evacuating the premises. While help is on the way, try to control the spread of the fire yourself if it is safe to do so. Always keep an open escape route between you and the fire. Understanding fire can help a great deal in reducing fears about it. Three things must exist in order for a fire to occur. These are heat, fuel, and air, sometimes represented in a triangle. If any leg of the triangle is removed, there can be no fire. Most fires can be prevented by keeping one side of the triangle away from the other two. Hazard House Back to the Preparing For Emergencies page.