Polk Township Vol. Fire Dept.

How to fireproof your home

Fireproofing your home is a simple and worthwhile process that every family should perform. These simple procedures will increase your family's chance of survival if fire strikes.

Smoke detectors are your first warning against fire. Install smoke detectors on every level of the house with special attention to areas like the kitchen, hallways near bedrooms and staircases. Most fire victims die of smoke and fume inhalation, not burns. Check the operation of the detector every month. Replace batteries every October when the time changes. NEVER remove the battery for use somewhere else!

Keep fire extinguishers handy, especially in the kitchen. Extinguishers are easy to operate, make sure everyone learns how to use them.

Set a home evacuation plan, your children should all remember E.D.I.T.H. - Exit Drills In The Home, from school. Each room should have a minimum of two ways to escape in case of fire. The primary escape can be a door. If the primary path is blocked by fire or smoke, you should have an alternate route. This could be either another door or a suitable window. Windows should open easy without breaking them. Jagged glass is razor sharp! Fire escape ladders are available for around $30.00 for second story windows. These ladders store under a bed or in a closet. Select a place outside of the home where all family members will meet. Practice your evacuation plan!

Sleep with your bedroom door closed. A closed door will temporarily block the passage of smoke, fire gasses and heat, allowing you extra precious moments to escape.

Practice touching the door. Feel it with the back of your hand, from bottom to top. If the door is hot, leave it closed and use your alternate escape route. You should use the back side of your hand to feel for heat. If you get a burn, only the back side of your hand is injured and you can still crawl and use your hand and fingers. If the door feels cool, open it a crack to check for smoke. If the path is clear, stay low to the floor as you exit the home to reduce breathing toxic fumes and smoke. Heat and smoke rise and collect at the ceiling. The toxic fire gasses and smoke can reach temperatures at the ceiling of 1000 degrees. Crawling on the floor will give you better visibility and cooler air.

Practice the "stop, drop, and roll". Teach each family member that if their clothes catch fire, they should never run. Instead they should stop, drop to the floor, cover face with their hands and roll over and over to put out the flames.

Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach of children. Teach your children never to play with them! Set a good example!

Please extinguish all smoking materials!

These few simple tasks could mean the difference between being a victim and a survivor!

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John D. Einhorn
Sources: IAFC, NFPA