Have you ever heard the saying “prevention is better than fire”? This is true, for we should not wait for National Fire Prevention Week to commemorate and highlight the essence of preventing fires. According to the U.S. Fire Statistics of 2019, the residential building fires got the majority share of causes with the breakdown of 50.2% caused by cooking, 9.3% due to heating, 7.7% brought by carelessness, and 6.8% originated in electrical malfunction.
Surprisingly, statistics dictate that a fire incident can occur every 10 seconds. The ratio is indeed alarming, knowing that fire accidents can happen in just a blink of an eye. Hence, fire prevention should be done and observed every day.
Since these incident reports mostly occur in households, each family member should be cooperative in keeping everyone safe in their humble home. Here is a list of homeful tips on what you should do before, during, and even after the fire.
Before Fire
There’s nothing to lose in taking precautions. Here is a list of pieces of advice so that you will know what to do in order to avoid a house fire.
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Install a Smoke Detector
A smoke detector, also known as a smoke alarm, is a device that senses smoke, which typically indicates a fire. A quality home smoke detector issues a local visual or even audible warning from the sensor itself. This tool is crucial for home installation.
It is essential to check, maintain, and test the smoke alarms monthly. If they are not functioning properly, then perhaps the batteries need changing.
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Install a Fire Sprinkler
A fire sprinkler releases water once it detects a heat source nearby. Like smoke detectors, fire sprinklers are also important to anyone’s home. This device can help lessen heat temperature, flames, and smoke caused by fire.
Properly installed, well kept, and high-quality sprinklers can help save lives. Most residential structures patronize standard and industrial fire sprinklers for all the apartments. These sprinklers work just as fire systems in extensive facilities, like power plants.
The fire sprinkler system of these extensive facilities has a component of fire-safe butterfly valves. Experts suggest selecting this supportive feature for the fire sprinkler system because they can maintain their pressure containing capacity during and after a certain period of fire exposure. For reliable and durable water pipping system valves, better check out TUBOMART, and you will surely get your money’s worth.
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Practice a Fire Escape Plan
Have a talk with your family members about a fire escape plan and learn the Stop-Drop-and-Roll method. Designate one family member to operate the smoke sensor test button or simply yell “Fire!” to alert everyone. Ensure that everyone knows two ways to escape from every room and decide on a meeting spot outside the house. Practice this at least twice a year.
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Know Who to Contact
Form a family emergency communications plan and ensure everyone knows how to reach the fire department or call if they cannot find one another.
During Fire
One may have only a two-minute chance to escape when a residential fire starts. Early warning during a fire and regular practice of fire escape plans can save lives. This time, check out our list on what to do during a home fire.
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Don’t Panic
The first thing you should remember is to not panic. Being panicky will not help your current condition. You need to focus. If a cloud of smoke blocks the escape route, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Do not forget to close the doors behind for protection.
If there’s no available possible escape route, better stay in the room with all doors closed. Put a wet towel underneath the door and call for help or open a window and make a signal to get help.
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Safely Operate a Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a handy tool because this can save lives and property by putting out small fires or suppressing them until the fire department arrives.
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Save Yourself
Yell “Fire!” many times in the event of the fire and get out fast. Just leave all your belongings wherever they are, and simply save yourself. If a door handle of a closed door is warm, better use another way out. Run to the staircase, not the elevator, and once you are out, stay out. Go immediately to your meeting location, and call for help.
After Fire
It is indeed a traumatizing experience to see your dwelling swallowed by fire and destroy your properties in a blink of an eye. Still, lives are essential than buildings and properties. We indicated the last guides below that will surely help you after the fire incident.
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Let Your Family Know You are Safe
Adhere to your family fire escape plan and go to the decided meeting place to tell them you are safe. If this is not possible, try to call them about your current condition. Also, do not go back inside the house and wait until local fire authorities announce it is safe to re-enter.
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Call the Emergency Hotline
Contact the emergency hotline and seek assistance. Provide first aid where needed, whether it is a human or animal that was injured due to the fire accident.
Conclusion
Learning more about fire prevention is very crucial and should not be disregarded. This information and practicing home fire drills can save lives. As they say, nothing beats a man who is always ready, not even fire.
