Fire Facts
According to the National Fire Protection Association, did you know that you have less than 2 minutes to escape if your house catches on fire? This is due to the poisons in the smoke.
The following facts come from the National Fire Protection Association:
Only one-fifth to one-fourth of households (23 percent) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.
In 2004, there were an estimated 395,500 reported home structure fires and 3,190 associated civilian deaths in the United States.
One-third of American households estimated they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. Only 8 percent said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
Steps to Survival:
- Have a home fire escape plan and practice it!
- Have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
- Have a safe meeting place outside the home - a spot that everyone in the household knows to go to in event of a fire. This lets you know that everyone got out safely.
- Be aware of home fire hazards; including cooking and candle use.
Home Fire Escape Planning
Step 1: Can we find you? Are the house numbers between 4” and 6” high and reflective? Do you have house numbers that are on both sides of the mailbox? Are your house numbers easily seen at night? Do you want valuable time to be lost….all because we couldn’t find you?
Step 2: Have everyone in your household be a part of this planning process. Make a grid of your home (a template is available here) and show two ways out of every room, including doors and windows. Make sure that everyone can open every door, window and screen. Mark the location of each smoke alarm. If people are on the 2nd floor or higher, make sure that they have a home fire escape ladder and know how to use it.
Step 3: Make sure that you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test your alarms at least once a month to be sure that they work. Batteries should be changed twice a year (remember, change your clock, change your battery)!
Step 4: Make sure everyone understands what to do in case of fire.
Step 5: Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance from the house (it can be a neighbor’s house, a mailbox, a tree, etc.) for everyone in the household to meet in event of a fire. Make sure to mark the meeting place on your plan.
Step 6: Make sure everyone knows to call 911 once they are safely outside. Get out first! You can call 911 from a neighbor’s house or with a cell phone.
Step 7: If there are infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person too, in case the designee is not home during the emergency.
Step 8: Tell guests or visitors to your home about your family's fire escape plan. When staying overnight at other people's homes, ask about their escape plan. If they don't have a plan in place, offer to help them make one. This is especially important when children are permitted to attend "sleepovers" at friends' homes.
Step 9: When the smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately! Residents of apartments or high-rise buildings might be safer to “defend in place.”
Step 10: Once you’re out, STAY OUT! NEVER go back inside. If someone is missing, let the firefighters assist them; they have the equipment and training to do this.
- Click here for help with home escape planning and putting your plan into practice.
- Click here for a fun site to get children excited about home fire escape planning.
Smoke Alarms
Protect yourself and your family – have working smoke alarms! There are two different types of smoke alarms.
- Ionization: The most common type of smoke alarm. It is cheaper, and better at detecting the smaller amounts of smoke in a flaming fire.
- Photoelectric: Less common, it uses a light source and light chamber to detect the smoke from a fire. It is better at sensing smoky fires (such as a mattress).
Ever wondered how a smoke alarm works? Learn more>>>
There are many different types of smoke alarms available today. Smoke alarms that are wireless, can be silenced from a false alarm with a remote control, smoke alarms that are combination units with other types of alarms…a large variety! There is an important thing to look for, no matter what type of alarm you purchase – the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. UL tests smoke alarms under actual fire conditions to ensure they will work as they should. To learn more>>>
If You Have Children!
Studies have shown that many children do not wake to smoke alarms. This is due to their physiology. Vocal smoke alarms have been shown in testing to be more effective in waking children. There are two types of vocal alarms; one that comes with a prerecorded message from the factory, and a vocal alarm where the parent can record their own voice and message. The alarm where the parent can record their voice has been proven in testing to be the most effective at waking children. Only battery operated smoke alarms have UL approval.
Only one company makes this last smoke alarm: Signal One Safety.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is a by-product of combustion. Carbon monoxide binds to your blood between 250-300 times faster than oxygen will! This means that even at low levels, carbon monoxide will affect your thinking, your judgment, and can adversely effect your health. At higher levels, carbon monoxide can be fatal.
What makes carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion. Fire places, appliances that use natural gas, propane, wood, coal, or kerosene can produce carbon monoxide. If you use a generator or kerosene heater during a power outage, or have an attached garage and start your car inside the garage (even with the door open) carbon monoxide can be created.
How long are carbon monoxide alarms good for? Like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms vary greatly from model and manufacturer; each is different! Most carbon monoxide alarm manufacturers recommend replacing the alarm between 5 and 8 years. You should read the instructions that come with your alarm, to know when it should be replaced. Don’t forget to look for the UL symbol – this lets you know that the alarm has been tested under actual use conditions.
Where can I learn more? Visit the following sites for more information:
Tips for Home Fire Escape
Ladders
If you are on the 2nd floor or higher, you may need a home fire escape ladder to escape in the event of a fire. Some tips for purchasing:
- Where can I purchase a home fire escape ladder? You can purchase a home fire escape ladder from any of the “big box” stores, such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Wal-Mart. There are also many places to purchase these ladders on the internet.
- What should I consider when purchasing a home fire escape ladder? Make sure that you can return it. Not every ladder will work with every windowsill. You might wish to purchase a ladder that will carry more weight; you never know when more than one person might need to use the ladder. A ladder with feet or a support system that goes against the side of the building can prevent or reduce swaying. Using your favorite search engine (such as Google) should bring up a number of sites to research for these ladders.
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