FIRE SAFETY

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Ways to prevent home fires:

·         Have smoke detectors installed in multiple places and levels of your home.

·         Have carbon monoxide detectors.

·         Fire extinguishers

·         Be careful cooking such as, open fryers, oil pans.

·         Avoid using multiple extension cords.

·         Keep matches, candles, and lighters out of reach of children.

Checklist:

·         Have batteries in detectors changed often.

·         Do inspections often.

 

·         Keep extinguishers up to date.

·         Check wiring for cracks, wearing, breaks.

·         Unplug appliances, toaster, kettle, phone chargers.

·         Clean dryer vents, wood stoves, heaters every 6 months

·         Don’t leave candles unattended.

 

In case a fire occurs:

·         Always have escape plan with your family              

·         Make then aware of the safest way to get out.

·         Practice drills

·         Don’t take anything with you.

·         How many ways to exit.

·         Have emergency kit ready.

·         Escape latter if needed.

·         Wheelchair ramp if needed.

·         Cover mouth and nose

·         Stay low, get out, don’t panic.

·         Crawl to the nearest exit door or window

·         Where to meet once outside

·         Call 911

 

If on fire:

·         STOP – DROP – ROLL

·         STAY CALM

 

·         NEVER RUN FIRE WILL SPREAD

·         SMOTHER THE FIRE

·         COVER FACE AND MOUTH

·         ROLL

·         CRAWL TO NEAREST EXIT

Fire mitigation is a series of steps that you can take to reduce the risk of a wildfire consuming your property. It includes assessing the risks around your property, recognizing the wildfire dangers and your responsibility in mitigating them, thereby creating a defensible space.

 

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How wildfires start:

·         Unattended campfires, home fires

·         Cigarette sparks

·         Broken bottles outside

·         Engine sparks

·         Tool sparks

·         Sun rays

·         Electrical power

 

 

 

Ways to prevent:

 

·         Keep campfires safe distance from buildings / campers.

·         Have water supply on hand.

·         Never throw cigarettes in grass or dry areas

·         Clean garbage around home, campsites

 

 

If fire occurs

 

·         Always have emergency escape plan

·         First aid kit close to grab

·         Be prepared to evacuate at any time.

·         If told to evacuate do so immediately

·         If unable to evacuate close windows and doors reduce smoke and debris from entering

·         Remove combustibles away from house such as propane tanks, firewood, lawn furniture.

·         Never re enter home without proper authority.

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Fire mitigation checklist for defensible space

 

·         Thinning and pruning trees and shrubs

·         Creating fire breaks

·         Reduce surface fuels under the tree.

·         Removing slash from clean-up and any down debris

·         Raking pine needles and twigs away from your house

·         Removing dead and diseases trees

·         Getting rid of the branches that overhand the roof and chimney.

 

Wildfire is approaching your home.

If you see a fire approaching your home or community, report it immediately by dialing 911. If it is safe enough to do so, you should take some or all of the following actions:

  • Close all windows and doors in the house.
  • Cover vents, windows, and other openings of the house with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood.
  • Park your car, positioned forward out of the driveway. Keep car windows closed.

 

 

  • Pack your emergency kit(s) and any valuables or items that cannot be replaced in the vehicle,
  • Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage and yard to aid visibility in case smoke fills the house.
  • Place a ladder to the roof in the front of the house to assist firefighters.
  • Follow local social media and/or stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information on the fire and possible road closures.
  • Make sure that your vehicle has enough fuel. If evacuation becomes necessary, it will be hard to stop for gas. Depending on your region or the distance that you might need to drive, you may want to purchase additional approved gas cans.