In Case of Fire in Your Home
Make a family fire-escape plan and keep your escape routes free
of obstructions. Practice this plan often, and keep these pointers
in mind; they will tell you pointers from those who know what
it takes to get out alive:
a) Stay calm.b) Sound a warning.c) If you awaken
to a smoke-filled room, crawl below the smoke to safety.d) Check
the doors to see if they are warm. A warm door may mean that there
is a fire on the other side. Use an alternate exit, if possible.e)
Get everyone out; wrap children in blankets if necessary-don't take
time to get dressed.f) Close the doors behind you as you evacuate.
This will slow down the fire.g) If it is safe to do so, turn off
all appliances as you leave.h) If your hair or clothing should catch
on fire, smother the flames with a towel, blanket or other thick
material, or stop, drop and roll out the flames. Get medical attention
as soon as possible.i) Call the Fire Department from a safe location.
Do not delay.
What To Do In Case Of Any Other Fire
Most fires start out small, but after a few minutes they can be
out of control. It's important to act fast to sound the alarm and
just important to know what to do and to do it fast. This week's
Tail Gate Safety Topic deals with what to do in case of a fire.
THINK FAST AND ACT WITH CAUTION: When you first
discover a fire determine what to do immediately. If the fire is
small and you have the proper fire extinguishers, PUT IT OUT.
SOUND THE ALARM: Do not underestimate any fire.
If the fire is too much for you to handle, report it immediately.
WARN THE PEOPLE: Warn all people in the area immediately
so they can get to places of safety. This is especially important
in the case of fires in buildings.
STAND BY: Stay near, but at a safe distance from
the fire. Meet and tell the fire fighters where the fire is. They
can waste valuable minutes if they have to find it themselves.
FIRE FIGHTING: Everyone is responsible for preventing
fires. But everyone is not obligated to fight major fires. In general,
never join in the fire fighting unless your help is requested by
the firemen.
CORRECT EXTINGUISHERS: Different fire extinguishers
are recommended for each type of fire. For CLASS A fires (wood,
textiles, rubbish) use foam or water. For CLASS B fires (grease,
motor vehicle, flammable liquids) use foam, dry chemical, carbon
dioxide or vaporizing liquid. NEVER use a water-type extinguisher
on live electrical equipment. You can be electrocuted instantly
by the electrical current following the water stream to you body.
NEVER throw a stream of water on a CLASS B fire. You can splatter
flaming liquids over a wide area, spreading the fire out of control.
To summarize what we have covered here you should adhere to the
following guidelines:
NO MATER WHERE YOU ARE, KNOW WHERE THE FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS ARE AND HOW TO USE THEM CORRECTLY SO THAT YOU WILL
BE ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY.
KNOW WHAT TO DO AND DO IT QUICKLY
ACT SAFELY AND WITH CAUTION
SOUND THE ALARM
WARN OTHERS IN THE AREA
STAND BY TO DIRECT THE FIREFIGHTERS TO THE
FIRE
STAY BACK AND OUT OF THE WAY UNLESS YOU
ARE ASKED TO HELP
If you follow these simple guideline you may be able to put out
a small fire or at least keep a small fire under control.
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