1.       Change the batteries in your fire alarms regularly. Whilst an AA battery generally lasts longer than a year in a detector, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It is recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke alarms at least twice a year and check that they are working at least once a month. This way you will always have peace of mind and the alarms will be in good working order when they are needed.

2.       Replace smoke detectors regularly. Replacing detectors regularly is a vital move. If they are more than 10 years old, or behave erratically when installed, then you should change the detectors you have. Detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material which is required for operation. Check regulations about disposal before merely throwing them out and be sure to install replacements swiftly so you are not left without a warning system even for a day.

3.       Install Fire Extinguishers in high risk areas of your home. The kitchen, the garage and the workshop are all high risk areas where a fire could start through day to day operations. Having a fire extinguisher on hand could prevent you from suffering the effects of a large fire. Dealing with a fire whilst it is still small will save your house and potentially your life but it is essential to ensure your life is safe first, rather than end up stuck inside after failing to put the fire out.

4.       Ensure the safety of containers because any kind of gas or oil leak could provide the fuel needed to spark a fire. Any leaking gas or spilt flammable liquids endanger the entire household. Be sure to maintain high quality safety conditions with any flammable liquids or gasses.

5.       Use extension cords safely. Extension cords are very useful when carrying out odd jobs around the home but they can also be dangerous if they are misused. Any extension cord should be unwound before use because the proximity of wire against wire creates high levels of heat which could spark a fire. It is also important to be sure you do not overload the voltages that the cord can handle because that will also cause it to overheat.

6.       Discard any oil soaked rags. When carrying out maintenance on a car or lawn mower you will often use a rag to soak up oil or fuel which has leaked. This is good practice to stop the oil becoming a fire hazard but it is essential to dispose of the rag properly. An oil soaked rag is a huge fire risk and should never be left anywhere within or beside your house.

7.       Do not store anything near combustion tools because they need air to operate properly. Any combustion machinery generates a lot of heat and poses a fire risk if it is operated near to any flammable items, or if the exhaust is blocked.

Pic-courtesy-hialeahfl.gov

Fire safety and protection tips for your home

Fire is devastating in its effect and almost 75 % of fire accidents are lethal resulting in more than what we can imagine in terms of human loss –Most of us rather take things lightly in the wake modern technology and tend to avoid compliance to safety issues. I wish to share a few tips on fire safety for homes.

General instructions on safety must come from the head of the house and addressed to all members of the family who in turn must comply accordingly, all members must know what to do in wake of a fire, make a plan with two getaways in the event of fire in every room at least. Check all windows to ensure it closes and opens with ease, are they wide and tall enough to help escape during fire in the house. Always ensure to keep a strong flashlight and bell in every room during a distress situation. Have a meeting with family members in regards to fire safety outside of the house and ensure to make it a routine exercise.

Topics to be discussed with family folk: Make it a practice to yell fire in an event that is alarming, banging on doors, whistling etc is good practice and all members need to follow the code of call.

Ensure bedroom is closed thus allowing no smoke to generate through and giving you ample amount of time to escape.

Learn to roll on the floor if clothes are on fire, stop and hit the ground.

Safety equipment: Install smoke detectors in the house and keep a routine check on its working parameters, purchase only from authorized dealers.

Have emergency numbers near by the telephone and ensure to call from outside if fire breaks out in side of your home.

Smokers need to be careful and vary when smoking in bed 0discarded cigarettes can cause a fire.

Store matches and lighters away from children at all times, wear tight clothes when cooking in the kitchen, loose clothes can catch fire.

Ensure all electrical devices is safe to use, unusual smell or smoke coming out of the device is a bad sign and requires immediate replacement.

If a member gets burned due to fire, ensure to place wound area under cold water for a while. If scars or blisters occur immediately see a doctor.

Make sure that Halogen lights are kept away from flammable curtains, clothes and low ceiling roof tops.

Practice safety and that must begin at home with all members participating in good faith – Live safe!

X Marks the Spots

Of the 146 people who died on 25th March 1911 at least 50 jumped to their deaths in a futile attempt to save their lives and escape the raging fire.  In the photograph below “X” marks the window from which the 50 plunged to their deaths on the sidewalk below. 

Image via Wikipedia

Coffins on the Sidewalk 

The picture below shows some of the dead from the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire after being placed in their coffins on the sidewalk.  

Image via Wikipedia

Bodies on the Sidewalk

This picture shows 40 presumed dead bodies from the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire.  However, reports inform that least two were discovered to be alive an hour after the fire was extinguished.

Image via Wikipedia

People of New York Show Solidarity with the Workers

This picture shows the funeral procession of eight of the workers from the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire.  It was reported that 100,000 New Yorkers turned out to mourn and line the funeral procession’s route.

Image via Wikipedia

The Grave of Tillie Kupferschmidt

Tille Kupferschimidt was 17 years old when she perished in the Asch Building fire in 1911.  This is a picture of her grave.

Image via Wikipedia

We Should Not Forget

This chalk memorial appears every year to commemorate another young immigrant victim of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire in 1911.  Sonia Wisotsky was 17 years old when she died an horrific death.  If proper precautions had been taken and if an escape door had not been locked the 146 deaths could have been prevented.  March 25th 2011 will be the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire.

Image by dpstyles™ via Flickr

Their motivation is not personal gain but societal benefit.  This article gives special thanks to firemen and women.  Be sure to look for ‘thank-you grams’ that you can give to firefighters later in this article.

For the first article in this series, click here.

The Diverse Responsibilities of Firefighters

Take a moment to consider the diverse responsibilities we have delegated to firefighters.  They are on call to protect our homes and office buildings from smoke and flames, collapse and destruction.  They provide emergency medical services in homes, offices, and in traffic accidents.  Firefighters tackle wild fires, forest fires, and brush fires.

In their free time they go to schools to educate our children on fire prevention.  They ride in parades and show off their equipment.  They open their doors to provide basic medical training to the public.  They rescue pets, children, and the elderly from danger.

Imagine a Firefighter’s Training Regimen

Imagine what type of training a firefighter must go through.  He must learn to always preserve his own life, while sacrificing it for others.  He must maintain a buddy system.  She must be prepared for roofs to cave in, stairways to give way, and windows to blow out.

Think of the last time you saw a fire truck.  Do you remember all the equipment attached to the truck, items that most of us have no iota what they are?  How about that heavy uniform?  The awkward hats?  The heavy water hoses?  The specialty wrenches and hammers and picks.  Not to mention breathing units, EMT equipment, and knowledge of fire codes, fire safety, fire prevention, and investigative procedures. Whew!

The Sacrifices Firefighters Make

What kinds of sacrifices must firefighters make?  First of all, they put their lives on the line for your benefit and mine.  If you saw the movie Fireproof you witnessed the main character, played by Kirk Cameron, entering a burning structure to save a child [don't forget the intense train scene too].  Often times they sleep at the fire station away from home.  Some firefighters volunteer their services without pay.  Can you imagine that? 

I really have no idea the sacrifices that firefighters make.  Perhaps you can go to the nearest station and find out for yourself.

Say Thank You

Let’s give it up for our firefighters!  They define courage.  Sacrifice.  Commitment.

Firefighters are our true heroes.

Thank you, men and women in the fire houses!  Your sacrifice is appreciated.  Your hard work does not go unnoticed.  Your expertise and skill is unparalleled.

Please forgive us if we take you for granted at times. 

We need you.  We need you to protect us.  We need you to educate and train us. 

We need you to be up at 3 AM so we can sleep comfortably.  We need you to save our little daughters entrapped in a burning home.  We need you to rescue our grandfathers, sleeping unaware in a blaze.

We need you and America needs you.

Don’t Forget the Families

We MUST NOT forget the families of firefighters.  Who signs up to marry a firefighter?  Who raises a fireman?  These firefighter families experience unique challenges and they need our support.  Don’t let your gratitude go unnoticed.  Don’t let these families be taken for granted.

Wives of firemen:  thank you for the sacrifices you make in your family to protect our communities. 

Husbands of firewomen:  what courage you have to entrust your beautiful women to protect society.

Daughters and sons:  we are so grateful that you are sharing your mommy and daddy with us.

Mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and all other firefighter relatives:  may God bless your family for the sacrifices you are making.  May the Mighty God protect your firefighter.  For those of you who have lost a loved one in the course of duty, may you know God’s grace and comfort.

‘Thank-you Gram’ Time

Here is a list of ‘thank-you grams’ that we the public can give to our firefighters.  Won’t you make a commitment in 2009 to give one or two of these ‘thank-you grams’ to a firefighter in your community?

• Each time you see a firefighter, thank him or her for serving with a handshake or a hug.
• Pray for the safety and protection of firefighters.
• Visit your local fire station and see what needs the firefighters have that you might be able to assist with.
• Bake a few dozen holiday goodies and deliver them to the station.
• Watch the movie Fireproof to gain a better appreciation of this profession. For a review of Fireproof,  click here.
• Sit down with your family or roommates and brainstorm ideas on how to be a benefit or a blessing to fire personnel.
• Forward the link of this article to people in your address book so that all of America can appreciate firefighters more and more and demonstrate that appreciation in tangible ways.
• If you have a website, put a link to this article on your webpage, to bring more exposure to the firefighting community.
• If you know a firefighter or the family of one, forward this article to them to encourage them. Then ask them how you can support their family.
• Find out how you can support firefighter associations such as the International Association of Firefighters iaff.org and the National Fire Protection Association nfpa.org.
• For more information on state and local firefighter associations visit here.

In Closing

Firefighters:  thank you, thank you, thank you.  From your forever thankful friends – the citizens of the United States of America.

All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.