In recognition of Fire Service Week 2016, NATION Online will be reproducing a series of articles on fire safety and fire prevention.
MOST RESIDENTIAL fire deaths occur because of inhalation of toxic gas, rather than contact with flames. The tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented by taking a few precautions.
Here are general fire prevention tips, as recommended by the Barbados Fire Service:
• Do not plug too many appliances into an electrical outlet.
• Make sure that combustibles are not too close to the stove.
• Never smoke in bed or around soft furniture.
• Do not use damaged or frayed electrical cords or extension cords.
• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Teach your children about the dangers of playing with fire.
• Never use extension cords with heating or air conditioning equipment.
• Purchase smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for each room of your home.
• Have an emergency escape plan and practise it frequently.
• Close your downstairs doors at night before going to bed. The most obvious way out may be blocked by fire or smoke. Remember that the smoke of a home fire is extremely dense and toxic, taking any vision, so if a downstairs room is on fire, a window will usually be the only way out of a room upstairs.
• Make sure that screens or storm windows can be easily removed.
• Ensure that you have tools available if windows must be broken.
• If you live in a two-storey home, you should have an escape ladder for each occupied bedroom. Escape ladders are available for purchase, and they can be stored under a bed or in the closet.
• Establish a meeting place outside your home to be sure everyone has escaped should a fire occur.
• In the event of a fire, do not stop to get dressed or gather valuables.
• Teach your family that in the case of a fire they must stay low to the floor to avoid smoke.
• Passageways may be completely filled with dense smoke, so everyone should practise exiting on their hands and knees while blindfolded.
• Train family members to feel any closed door on the exit route before opening. If the door is warm, open it slowly and close it quickly if heat or smoke rushes in.
• Establish a rule that once you’re out, you never re-enter under any circumstances. As soon as two people have reached the meeting place, one should call 311 from a neighbour’s phone.
• The earlier a fire is detected, the less risk there is to your family. Fire alarms and smoke detectors play a very important role in this.
