HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS FROM THE PORTLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT
Why Should My Home Have Smoke Alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal that alerts you and your family to escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, as well as outside every bedroom.
How Do I Keep My Smoke Alarm Working?
If you have a smoke alarm with batteries:- Smoke alarms powered by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit, according to manufacturer?s instructions.
- In standard battery-powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year, and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
- In hard-wired battery back-up smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly.
- The chirping sound means the battery is low.
Make and Practice Your Home Escape Plan
Make a home escape plan for the whole family before a fire happens, and practice it with the whole family twice a year. If you know what to do ahead of time, you have a better chance of escaping from a fire!
Check Your Plan!- Does everyone know two different ways out of each room? The first way is probably a door, and the second way out might be a window or another door.
- Do all windows and doors needed for escape open easily?
- Have you chosen a meeting place out front where everyone will meet? You want to be able to tell the fire department that everyone is out safely.
If a Fire Does Occur:- Stay out! Don't go back inside a burning building for anything or anyone. Let the fire department do that! They have the training and the protective equipment to deal with the situation quicker and safer than you could.
- Call the fire department from a neighbor?s house.
Keep Your Kitchen Fire Safe!
Kitchen fire safety starts with the cook! Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking. Never leave cooking unattended; but if you must leave the kitchen for a moment, turn the surface burners off. Keep small appliances unplugged when not in use, and keep them clean and dry. If a small grease fire occurs, use the "Put A Lid On It" technique. Smother the flames by sliding a cover or larger pan over the fire while turning off the burner. Never pour water on a grease fire or move the burning pan! If the fire does not instantly go out, leave the house and call the fire department. Cooking fires can quickly get out of control!
Holiday Fire Safety Tips:
Tree Safety
- Never use candles as decorations.
- Keep trees away from heat.
- Never use a cut tree in a place of public assembly (apartment or hotel lobbies, restaurants, etc.)
- Water a cut tree at least daily.
- Use a "non-tip" tree stand.
- Use only fire retardant decorations.
- Never leave a lighted tree unattended.
- Dispose of the tree properly; preferably soon after the holiday before the needles dry out.
- Artificial trees should have a fire retardant label.
Keep the Season Bright - Watch Those Lights!
- Unplug all lighting before retiring for the evening or leaving the house.
- Blow out candles before leaving the room. Don't leave candles burning unattended.
- Purchase lights and electric decorations which are listed by an approved testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratories(UL) or Factory Mutual(FM).
- Check all lighting for frayed wires, broken plugs, sockets, etc.
- Never overload outlets. Use no more than three strands of lights on a single extension cord.
- Never use candles on trees, or place near other flammable decorations.
- Never hang lights on a metallic tree.
- Always use appropriate weatherproof lights outdoors.
- Give the Gift of Life - Give Smoke Detectors!
Prevent Dryer Fires
- Clothes dryers are a leading cause of fires in homes, hotels, motels, and hospitals.
- Clean the filter screen after each load. This will keep the vent clear. When accumulated lint clogs the vent, the dryer can overheat and a fire could result.
- Stay home while the dryer is in use, or turn off the dryer before leaving the house.
- Twice a year you should clean the hose pipe that vents to the outside. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck out accumulated lint and dust.
- Vacuum the motor area. The dust and lint in the vent pipe can ignite if it gets hot enough. Vacuum the motor area if it?s accessible, but you may have to remove a panel to get at it.
- Clean commercial dryers regularly. They get a lot of use and will have a common venting system. It is extremely important to have the vent systems cleaned regularly.
Carbon Monoxide
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, highly-toxic flammable gas that is a product of chemical reactions that occur in a fire. The effects of inhaling carbon monoxide can range from mild headaches and lethargy, to confusion, unconsciousness, and even death.
- Causes of carbon monoxide in a building can include:
- Improper combustion, or improper ventilation, of furnaces fueled by natural gas or oil
- Water heaters
- Fireplaces or wood burning stoves
- Fumes from a running automobile in a garage
- A blockage in a chimney or flue pipe
- The extremely dangerous practice of using barbecues, portable stoves, or portable heaters inside
- The danger of carbon monoxide is that this insidious gas will starve oxygen from the body. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by the human nose or other senses. The symptoms or carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to flu symptoms, as well as headaches, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, weakness, vision problems, and loss of muscle control and motor coordination. If a person is left untreated in a heavy accumulation of CO, unconsciousness and death can result. If the symptoms disappear when you are away from the house, suspect the presence of carbon monoxide. Symptoms may vary according to the individual.
- If you suspect carbon monoxide contamination, get everyone outside immediately. Call the Fire Department by dialing 911 (using a telephone away from the suspected area) and report any medical symptoms, as well as the possibility of carbon monoxide contamination. The Fire Department will respond immediately to provide medical care if needed, and to test the building for carbon monoxide contamination by the use of air sampling meters. Remember that carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and can only be positively identified by sophisticated air sampling and detection equipment.
Gas Barbecue Grill Safety ConcernsPropane is a flammable gas stored under pressure.
Leaking propane can cause a fire or explosion if the propane reaches an ignition source.
Rapidly heated cylinders can also explode in a fire situation.
Never take a propane tank inside any building or dwelling, even momentarily.
Never store or use propane in any building, garage, or enclosed space.
Propane vapors are heavier than air. The vapors will flow into low areas.
If there is a gas leak or uncontrolled fire, evacuate the area. Call the fire department from a telephone remote from the leak, such as from a neighbor's house or from a cell phone
Always keep tanks standing upright.
When using a propane grill:
- Place grill on a noncombustible surface only at grade level.
- Make sure that the grill is at least 10 feet from any combustible surfaces such as buildings, walls, deck railings, and vehicles.
- Make sure that the grill is at least 10 feet from any possible ignition sources such as air conditioners, lights, or cars.
- Do not allow anyone to smoke when working with a propane tank.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill.
- Keep the propane tank shut off when not in use.
- Store the propane tank in a shaded area. Heat from sunlight will cause the gas to expand and vent from the tank.
- Periodically check all connections to make sure that they are secure and that there are no leaks.
- When transporting a propane tank for refilling, do not leave it inside an enclosed car or trunk because the gas will vent automatically when it is heated or warmed.
- Keep all hoses and connections free from spilled food, grease, and dirt.
If you are ever unsure about a fire safety issue, please call us at (361) 643-0155. We are ready to answer your questions by phone or visit your home if necessary.
We want to help you keep your family safe.
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