Home Fire Safety

On Tuesday morning we had an interesting, informative and entertaining talk on fire safety in the home, by Glen Cochran of the CFA.

This post is much longer than those that I usually write, as a great deal of information has to be explained. Some of the information might appear to be too obvious, but I think it is still important to emphasise all issues, no matter how self-evident they appear to be.

Note: to view larger versions of any of the photos (in a new tab or window) click on the photograph.

Glen discussed a wide range of fire safety issues, illustrating his talk with a power point presentation. A common response of many people is that "... it couldn't happen to me.". Glen told us that the CFA attended over 1300 house fires last year, that is almost four per day.

House fires happen every day

• The majority are preventable


• Statistics show most house fires are started by householders themselves


• They are mostly accidents, but accidents are often caused through negligence


• House fires kill

Glen showed a graphic video demonstrating that small fires become dangerously large very quickly.

The diagram below makes the same point.



The writing in the graphic above is fairly small; click on it and a larger version will appear in a new window or tab.

Just 3¹/₂ minutes after a fire starts the room becomes lethally uninhabitable, as the ceiling temperature reaches 1000ºC and visibility is reduced to zero.


Where are the danger areas?

The main areas where fires start are:

• Kitchen – 40%


• Bedroom – 14%


• Lounge – 11%


• Laundry – 5%

The Kitchen

Flammable materials need to be stored away from the stove Never leave the stove unattended when it is on Make sure that the stove and surrounds are free from a build up of fats and oils Tea towels must not be left hanging over oven door handles Water, flour or salt should NEVER be used to put out an oil or fat fire

Bedrooms

Electric blankets should never be left on while people or heavy objects are in/on bed Make sure that candles are not placed near curtains or other flammable items Don't smoke in bed

Laundry

The main fire risk in laundry is the clothes dryer

Dryers should have their filters cleaned before every use Dryers need to have adequate ventilation & should be allowed to complete their cool down cycle Avoid drying bras in your dryer as the underwire can get caught and start a fire

Fire fighting equipment

Fire blanket

Fire extinguisher

Every home should have a properly maintained fire extinguisher and fire blanket (Australian Standards Approved)

Using a fire blanket

• Remove blanket from packet


• Hold on to tabs to protect hands - the tabs will be a few centimetres below the top, so you can flip the top of the blanket over the hands to protect them


• 
  Approach fire holding blanket in front – gently lower the blanket onto burning item (don’t throw)


• Turn off heat source


• Don't look under the blanket to see if the fire is out, as doing so is likely to flare up the fire


• Call fire brigade - 000

Using a fire extinguisher

Remember the acronym PASS described below.



Even if you successfully extinguish the fire with either blanket or extinguisher, call the fire brigade, so they can check for thermal hot spots which might re-ignite the fire later.

Flammable Liquids

• Ensure all flammable liquids, washing powders and poisons are kept locked away from children


• 
  Store chemicals & flammable liquids away from hot water service pilot flames and other naked flames


• Use extreme care when pouring

These suggestions seem obvious, but Glen told us that earlier that day a house fire was caused, in the local area, when a person was spraying weed killer on his garden and the vapour was ignited by a pilot light.


Electrical safety

Electrical appliances

• Faulty electrical appliances cause fires; either replace them or have them repaired


• Destroy faulty appliances before disposing of them


• Electrical appliances bought at garage sales or markets should be professionally checked before use

Power outlets and cords Never overload power outlets; use power boards with overload protection Check that all switches are in good order Don’t place extension leads under carpets or furniture Fully uncoil extension leads prior to use Consider the installation of circuit breakers & a safety switch

Down Lights

Halogen down lights, like the ones in this village, have been known to cause fires.

As the illustration below shows they generate quite high temperatures.



The problem occurs when dust leaves and other flammable materials collect around the lights above the ceiling, and catch alight. It is most likely that the insulation above our ceilings will not catch fire.

Solutions to the down light problem

• The lights should be checked regularly and any debris cleared away


• Guards can be placed around them (in the ceiling)


• Other types of lighting (eg led lights or small fluorescent lights) could be installed


• The CFA does not advocate residents themselves getting into roof spaces to remove debris


• Guards must be installed by qualified electricians as does conversion to alternate globes and lighting systems

Management is aware of these issues, and warnings and recommendations will be published. The bottom line is that these are a resident's responsibility.


Home heating

Be careful with heaters

Be careful where you place portable heaters to endure that they will not be knocked over and that they are not too close to furniture Be careful when wearing loose clothing or nightwear near heaters

Drying damp clothing near fires and heaters can be dangerous if the clothing is placed too close

Smoking

• Matches & lighters need to be stored safely


• Make sure all smoking materials are extinguished and wet down prior to being disposed of


• Only use deep sided ashtrays

Smoke alarms

• Every home in Victoria must now have a smoke alarm (since 1st February 1999)


• For minimum protection install a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area in your home


• Consider interconnecting all smoke alarms


• A smoke alarm that’s not working is useless and provides a false sense of security


• Test weekly


• Dust monthly


• Change battery once a year (end of daylight saving)


• Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years (detector should have a replacement date stamped on it somewhere)

Home fire escape plans

• Plan your exit in case of fire


• Plan two (2) ways out of the house


• 
  Have a meeting place (e.g. letter box)


• Practise regularly – at least every six months

Window shutters and grills

• How will you escape in an emergency?


• Can you open them if you have no electricity?

Deadlocks can be deadly

Important for security, but they can be dangerous

If you have a deadlock on any door

• Leave the key in the door
  


• If this isn’t practical, install a key holder close to the door

Remember, you may be disorientated during a fire or an emergency


Basic first aid - burns

Stop the burning process

• remove clothing, unless it has stuck to the skin

Cool the burn

• Immerse or flood the burnt area in cool running water for 15 to 20 minutes. Never use oil, butter or ointment

Cover

• Cover the burn with a clean cloth or cling wrap to keep the patient warm

What to do when fire strikes

• Firstly, get everybody out of the house


• Check doors for heat before opening using the back of your hand; if the door is hot use another exit


• If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll to smother the flames; to help someone else, throw a woollen blanket over them


• Crawl low if there is smoke


• Meet at designated meeting place


• Call the fire brigade, from a neighbour's house, public or mobile phone – never assume someone else has phoned


• Don’t go back inside – for any reason


• 
  If the fire is small and localised and it is safe to do so, extinguish the fire


• Wait for the fire brigade to arrive and explain where the fire is or if anyone is still inside

Calling 000

The Operator will ask you the following questions: (answer each one carefully and calmly)

• Emergency: Fire, Police or Ambulance?

You will then be connected to the appropriate agency


• Fire Brigade, Where is your emergency?


• What suburb is that?


• What is nearest corner to your street?


• What can you see?


• Where are you ringing from?


• Are other services required?

The talk finished with some training on the use of fire extinguishers, using an electronic system, which included a screen and extinguisher.

Different types of fires could be simulated on the screen, and the extinguisher shone light to simulate the extinguisher powder.

The photograph shows Mary Britchford extinguishing a "fire".



The technique is basically to point the extinguisher at the base of the fire, and then to sweep backwards and forwards. When you have seemed to have extinguished the fire watch carefully for any flare up.

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The Power Point presentation used in the talk is available on the Compaq Presario computer in the Computer Centre. Double click on the Home Fire Safety icon to start the presentation.

This post covers all elements of the presentation except two graphic videos of actual fires in a house.

If you want a copy of the presentation on your computer contact Stephen Spencer, villa 54.

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As always I encourage residents to comment on the contents of this post. To do so just click on the comments link below.