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How many lives could be saved if we all took Fire Safety in the Home more seriously?

The true answer to this question may never be known, though with just a little bit of planning, a small amount of money and a little time and effort from ourselves, we can make our homes more fire safe for our families.

In this article we are going to cover a few areas which can be looked at, outside and inside your home, to improve the fire safety of your home, for little or no cost to yourself.

We are going to break down your home into four areas of concern, so we can cover as much as possible in each area. These being:

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1. The property itself. This includes the whole property from the front gate to the house itself, or flat or apartment.

2. The Adults who live in the property, their actions and input to the whole scheme.

3. The children of the property. This includes everyone from new born upto about 18 year of age.

4. Visitors and pets of the property.

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THE PROPERTY ITSELF - OUTSIDE AND OUTBUILDINGS

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We will start at the front gate of the property and work our way up to the house itself. For those of you who live in flats or apartments, read carefully and take out of this what you think is most important to your property.

To start with make sure the house number is visible to the emergency services. Use large numbers and paint them white if on a dark background. You know where your house is, but others may not.

Maintain the gates and entrances to the property so as they are easily opened for entry by the emergency service. Cut back any over hang from trees or shrubs, and keep the area clear of rubbish, obstacles and potholes.

If you have a gas connection or gas cylinders on the property. Have a sign indicating there position near the entrance and the emergency cut off valve. Also show what gas they contain, such as LPG, Natural gas, Oxygen or Acetylene. Any form of compressed gas can be a major hazard in fire conditions.

Keep trees and shrubs, around the house proper, trimmed and tidy around the windows and doors being used for egress. Once again, make sure nothing is left laying around that could injure anyone on their way to the Assembly Point.

Have a garden hose, long enough to reach around the house, or one either side of the house if you have more than one outside tap. Maintain the hose in good repair and have an adjustable nozzle connection on the end.

The outbuildings are just as important as the house itself. Garages, sheds, lean-to’s etc.

Keep all dangerous goods, such as paint, thinners, break fluids, white spirits etc in a locked and marked metal cabinet. Keep poisons, such as vermin bait, garden chemicals etc, in a locked cupboard away from inquisitive hands. Gas cylinders of any kind, such as oxy/acetylene, LPG or spray paint cans should be stored safely and signs placed on the outside of the buildings indicating the presence of the hazardous goods within the building. These buildings should be kept as tidy as possible and a clear route of egress should be available when working inside. Have the appropriate fire extinguishers in place by the exit door and know in advance how to us them.

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THE PROPERTY ITSELF - INSIDE THE HOUSE

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Inside your house you will need a number of specific items. Most importantly Smoke Alarms. These will need to be fitted throughout the building at the prescribed positions, and maintained in good working order. Batteries will need to be changed once a year at a specific time, not just when they run out.

In the kitchen you will need an all purpose fire extinguisher and a fire blanket. You will need to know how and when to use them both. How to check them for the contents level and damage. Every adult in the house will need to have this information. You can contact the extinguisher supplier for further information.

You will also need a fire evacuation plan for the whole house and family. This can be drawn up with the assistance of everyone in the house and practiced regularly. The main features of the Home Fire Plan will be, two means of egress from as many rooms as possible in the house, an assembly point well away from the house itself, usually somewhere near the letter box. A designated person to call the emergency service required with the right information that will be relevant. Street address, type of incident, number of occupants etc. Once outside of the house, DO NOT go back inside. Do a head count and make sure everyone is safely accounted for.

Other safety checks than can be done in the house are:

No smoking in bed!

Metal or glass ashtrays for the smokers, if smoking allowed.

The position of portable heaters - not to close to furniture or anything easily ignited.

Fire guards around all fires for protection of the children.

No logs left to dry upon the log fire or near open fires.

No overloading of electrical sockets or multi boxes.

Do not run extension cords under carpets or rugs.

Do not drink and fry.

Keep matches and lighter away from the children.

This list is not a complete list as each property will have it’s own little areas of concern over and above this list.

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THE CHILDREN OF THE PROPERTY

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The children of the family should work closely with the adults on learning the Home Fire Plan, and their parts in it. Most important points being… once outside stay out and the position of the assembly point.

The children can also be taught to make an emergency telephone call, this can be taught for as many reasons as possible as each call is very similar. If the children are of an age where you would be happy with them attempting the extinguishment of a small fire then teach them to use the extinguishers and the fire blanket.

Teach smaller children the benefits of staying away from open fires and electric bar heaters to avoid clothing fires. Also teach them how to stop, drop and roll if their cloths ever do catch fire.

Teach them to never play with matches or lighters. Explain to them the hazards they face when doing so. Teach them how to get down, get low and get out if ever they are in a smoke filled room. Teach them to be fire wise.

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VISITORS AND PETS

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When you have visitors to the house for any prolonged period, such as sleepovers, holiday stays etc. Explain to them the house fire safety rules and the Home Fire Plan. Add them to the head count list. Ask them not to smoke in bed and supply a safe container outside for cigarette butts and matches if you allow smoking. Bring to their attention any other item you think maybe of importance.

You must also consider your pets in any fire safety aspect of your life, though never put them above your own safety or those of your children. I know this is a hard one, but remember if you are out of the building, never go back in for a pet.

Do not build your dog run any closer than 10 metres, (30feet) from a building. You are only putting them at risk if it should ever catch alight.

Keep pets inside when ever there are fireworks being used. Once they are inside do not leave any candles or open flames around which could be knocked over by them.

Always remember to be fire wise and for anything which you are not clear of or happy with, contact your local Fire Brigade as they are the experts and are only to willing to assist you in any endeavour.

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