Fire Prevention

DID YOU KNOW?
Each year, fire kills about 4,000 people and injures tens of thousands of others in the United States (National Fire Protection Association 1999).

THE BASICS:
Fire requires three items to survive. These three items are FUEL, HEAT and OXYGEN. To extinguish a fire, all you need to do is remove one of these items. For example, if you have a fire in a pot on your stove, by putting a lid on the pot you will remove oxygen and extinguish the fire.

SMOKE DETECTORS-

• Smoke detectors save lives by "smelling" for smoke while you are in your home or apartment or while you are gone. One smoke detector should be installed on every floor of your home or apartment and wherever people sleep. If you sleep with the door closed, place a smoke detector in the bedroom as well as outside the bedroom.
• Be sure to test your smoke detectors every month.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke detector two times a year. Remember change your clock, change your battery!

DeSoto County residents who do not own a smoke detector can stop by station one (1985 SE Carlstrom Field Rd.) to pick up a free smoke detector.

HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLANS-

• Get together with your family and plan for an emergency. Draw a plan of your home and draw your escape plan.
• PARTS HOME ESCAPE PLAN:
  Make sure that there are working smoke detectors in your home.
  Know two ways out of every room (this is usually a door
      or a window).
  Establish a family meeting place outside your home like a
      mailbox or tree.
  Practice your escape plan every six months using both exits.

CALLING 9-1-1

• Call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
• An emergency can be a fire, a stranger in your home, someone who has been injured badly, someone who has fallen and can not get up, or someone is drowning.
• Give the 9-1-1 operator all the information they ask for.
• You need to know your name, the address where you are and the phone number where you are.
• Do not hang up the phone until you are told to do so.

TIPS-

• When you hear the smoke detector, get out fast and stay out. Remember to stay calm.
• If there is a fire, crawl low, under the smoke.
• Never open a door if it feels warm. Instead use your other exit or open a window and yell for help.
• Never hide from a fire under a bed or in a closet.
• If your clothes catch on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL. Cover your face with your hands to protect it.
• In an emergency call 9-1-1.
• Firefighters are your friends.
• Never play with matches and lighters. If you find them, tell an adult.

FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST-

• Do you have a smoke detector?
• Do you check your smoke detector each month?
• Do you change the smoke detector batteries twice a year?
• Do you have a home fire escape plan?
• Do you have a meeting place outside?
• Do you practice your home fire escape plan?
• Is your address clearly posted on your house or mailbox?
• Do you know who to call in an emergency?
• Do you know your address and phone number?

DIFFERENT FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR DIFFERENT FIRES-

Type A - Ordinary Combustibles
Wood, cloth, rubber, paper, many plastics and other common materials that burn easily.
Type B - Flammable Liquids
Gasoline and other flammable liquids, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paints, lacquer and flammable gas.
Type C - Electrical Equipment
Energized electrical equipment including fuse box circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.
Type D - Combustible Metals
Metal and metal dust used or produced industrially.
Type ABC - Multi-purpose
Multi-purpose extinguishers are rated for more than one type of fire. ABC extinguishers put out most types of fires that could start in your home - wood, paper, cloth, flammable liquid and electrical fires.

REMEMBER TO HAVE YOUR EXTINGUISHERS INSPECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS.