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Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention in the Home
As the Director, Public Works for USAG Schweinfurt, I am deeply concerned over the recent fire incidents in government controlled housing areas. Most of these fires were caused by unattended cooking or even worse, by unsupervised children playing with matches.
The Fire & Emergency Services Division has distributed numerous fire prevention reading materials and policies throughout the community that emphasize the importance of every family having a pre-planned, talked about, and practiced home fire escape and awareness plan. Please take the time to make sure that every member of your family clearly understands what to do in the event of a fire.
The key to fire prevention is AWARENESS - know the numerous factors that can cause home fires and then take the steps to eliminate these hazards in your home.
Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire.
Test windows and doors—do they open easy enough?
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom.
Conduct a family meeting and discuss the following topics:
- Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape.
- Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm. Yelling, pounding on walls, whistles, etc.. Practice yelling "FIRE!"
- In a fire, time is critical. Don't waste time getting dressed, don't search for pets or valuables. Just get out!
- Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke or gases may be enough to kill.
Be prepared and plan ahead
Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see.
Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
Feel all doors before opening them. If a door is hot, get out another way.
Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if clothes catch fire.
Additional tips for fire safety
Installed smoke detectors
All smoke detectors in government housing are hard-wired. Check the smoke-detector once a month. If defective, report to DPW immediately. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and burning fires.
Post emergency numbers near telephones
Be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to emergency services from inside the home. It is better to get out and place the call to fire authorities from a safe location outside the home.
Space Heaters Need Space
Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to sleep. Children and pets should always be kept away from them.
Smokers Need To Be Extra Careful
Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. Carelessly discarded cigarettes are a leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.
Be Careful Cooking
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so they do not over-hang the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and smother the flames, then turn off the burner.
Matches and Lighters are Dangerous
In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly! Store them where kids can't reach them, preferably in a locked area. Teach children that matches and lighters are "tools" and should only be used by adults.
Use Electricity Safely
If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don't overload extension cords. They should not be run under rugs. Never tamper with the fuse box or use the improper size fuse.
Cool a Burn
If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately!
Be Careful of Halogen Lights
If you have halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas. Never leave them on when you leave your home or office.
It is your responsibility to adhere to fire safety precautions and guidelines. Collectively, we must all work together to reach our common goal – NO FIRES IN OUR QUARTERS. Contact your Fire and Emergency Services Division, Civilian 09721-87711 or Military 354-6645 for more information on fire prevention.