Family Fire Family Fire Protection Protection and Exit and Exit

StrategiesStrategies

By: Naomi ArnoldBy: Naomi Arnold

GoalGoal

““The goal is to educate the The goal is to educate the

public about the importance public about the importance

of balanced fire protection and of balanced fire protection and

to equip families with the basic knowledge of to equip families with the basic knowledge of how tohow to

address a fire situation safely.” address a fire situation safely.”

Professional Safety, 2009

ObjectivesObjectives

Teach families to be prepared when it Teach families to be prepared when it comes to fire safety and protectioncomes to fire safety and protection

Emphasize a fire protection plan that Emphasize a fire protection plan that doesn’t rely on one single safeguard, but doesn’t rely on one single safeguard, but rather a complete, detailed and stable rather a complete, detailed and stable evacuation planevacuation plan

Make families aware about fire hazards in Make families aware about fire hazards in the home.the home.

Eliminate Fire Eliminate Fire HazardsHazards

Do not overload electrical outlets.Do not overload electrical outlets.

Switch off all electrical appliances when not Switch off all electrical appliances when not using.using.

Store flammable products away from heat.Store flammable products away from heat.

Have easy access to the fire extinguisher and Have easy access to the fire extinguisher and any emergency exit.any emergency exit.

Do not run extension cords behind rugs or Do not run extension cords behind rugs or curtains.curtains.

Fire PreventionFire Prevention

Keep operational fire extinguishers handy. Keep operational fire extinguishers handy.

Make sure everyone knows how to use a fire Make sure everyone knows how to use a fire extinguisher.extinguisher.

P.A.S.S.P.A.S.S.

Smoke detectorsSmoke detectors Test regularly Test regularly

Tips for a Good Escape Tips for a Good Escape PlanPlan

Two ways outTwo ways out

Outside meeting placeOutside meeting place

Working smoke alarmsWorking smoke alarms

Draw up a diagram of the house to visualize Draw up a diagram of the house to visualize each way out.each way out.

Pick a designated person to call 911 – once Pick a designated person to call 911 – once outsideoutside

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICEPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Family Exit ProceduresFamily Exit Procedures

Done as a family:Done as a family: Draw a diagram of the houseDraw a diagram of the house Walk around to each room with the Walk around to each room with the

diagram and point out 2 exits.diagram and point out 2 exits. If live in a multi-story home, invest in If live in a multi-story home, invest in

fire window escape ladders.fire window escape ladders. If live in a multi-story apartment If live in a multi-story apartment

building, map out as many routes as building, map out as many routes as possible to exit stairways on your possible to exit stairways on your floors of the building.floors of the building.

Agree on a meeting place outside Agree on a meeting place outside the house (ex: mailbox or a the house (ex: mailbox or a neighbors yard)neighbors yard)

Never go back inside for anyone or Never go back inside for anyone or anything. anything. http://www.sparky.org/safety_tips.html

Family Exit Fire DrillFamily Exit Fire Drill

Once plan is complete….PracticeOnce plan is complete….Practice

Create a scenario of where the fire takes Create a scenario of where the fire takes place, have everyone go to their roomsplace, have everyone go to their rooms

Once everyone is in their rooms “asleep” Once everyone is in their rooms “asleep” have someone set off the smoke detector have someone set off the smoke detector (start of the drill)(start of the drill)

Practice with different escape routes, but Practice with different escape routes, but always meeting at the family meeting place. always meeting at the family meeting place.

Test the DoorTest the Door

Always use the back of your Always use the back of your handhand

Stay low, smoke will riseStay low, smoke will rise If door is warm If door is warm use use

alternative route outsidealternative route outside If door is cool If door is cool brace body brace body

behind door, open door a behind door, open door a crack to check for smoke, crack to check for smoke, continue outside to meeting continue outside to meeting placeplace

Always close doors behind Always close doors behind youyou http://www.burninstitute.org/fbp/factsheets/escape.html

Stay Low!!!Stay Low!!!

Always remember to stay Always remember to stay low!!low!!

Smoke will rise!Smoke will rise! Want crawl on your hands Want crawl on your hands

and knees to the closest and knees to the closest exit.exit.

If available, grab a cloth If available, grab a cloth to cover your nose and to cover your nose and mouth.mouth.

StatisticsStatistics

Over 4,000 Americans die Over 4,000 Americans die

each year in house fires. each year in house fires.

Over 20,000 get injured every year from house Over 20,000 get injured every year from house fires.fires.

In a few seconds a fire can become out of In a few seconds a fire can become out of control, and lead to evacuation.control, and lead to evacuation.

Having a working smoke detector in your home Having a working smoke detector in your home cuts your chances of dying in a house fire by cuts your chances of dying in a house fire by 50%. 50%.

U.S. Fire Administration, 2009

ResourcesResources (2009). Extinguisher Training Video Educates Public on Fire Safety. (2009). Extinguisher Training Video Educates Public on Fire Safety. Professional Professional

SafetySafety, , 5454(6), 6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/10(6), 6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/10

(2008). In the Loop. (2008). In the Loop. Professional SafetyProfessional Safety, , 5353(10), 6. Retrieved from Academic (10), 6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/10Search Premier database. 10/5/10

Diment, E. (2008). A Practical Guide to Tenant Fire Safety: PART 2. Diment, E. (2008). A Practical Guide to Tenant Fire Safety: PART 2. Journal of Journal of Housing & Community DevelopmentHousing & Community Development, , 6565(5), 34-36. Retrieved from Academic (5), 34-36. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/10Search Premier database. 10/5/10

(2008). Life Safety Code Under Revision. (2008). Life Safety Code Under Revision. Professional SafetyProfessional Safety, , 5353(7), 36. Retrieved (7), 36. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database. 10/5/10from MasterFILE Premier database. 10/5/10

Burn Institute (2010) Retrieved October 12, 2010. Burn Institute (2010) Retrieved October 12, 2010. http://www.burninstitute.org/fbp/factsheets/escape.html

Sparky the fire dog (n.d.) Retrieved October 12, 2010. Sparky the fire dog (n.d.) Retrieved October 12, 2010. http://www.sparky.org/safety_tips.html

U.S. Fire Administration (2009). Get out safely (Electronic version). Homeland U.S. Fire Administration (2009). Get out safely (Electronic version). Homeland Security Security http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/escape/