All the Days of March, Part 4

A month-long of dealing with public health concerns

Logical home fire escape plan

A study conducted in the United States points out that a house fire becomes life threatening after 6 minutes from the time it starts. It takes less than two minutes for a person to evacuate himself to safety. Because of this, institutions, such as schools and offices, are encouraged to have regular fire drills. Making your family informed with perhaps just a little bit of practice can save a life. Children and family members should be reminded of the following:

1. In case of fire, get out of the house quickly and safely.

2. Check doors for heat before opening them. If they are warm to the touch, do not open them. This is an indicator that fire is on the other side of the door.

3. Crawl under smoke and close doors behind you to slow the fire.

4. If smoke blocks your way out, use your reasoning and common sense – that is: FIND ANOTHER WAY OUT.

5. If you can’t get out, keep the doors closed and sit by the window and wait for a rescuer.

6. Call for help but not incessantly screaming. Simply banging on the wall and periodic call out will alert rescuers and save you from major smoke inhalation. Stay low under the smoke as much as possible until help arrives.

7. Meet at a designated meeting place, away from the house on fire.

8. Don’t go back into the house.

9. Don’t return into the house until given proper authorization by fire authorities.

Presence of mind

1. If the fire is small, use reasonable means to put it out. You can use a fire extinguisher, if it is within reach.

2. If a fire is big, grab a blanket, or something that you can wrap your body with, and leave. Don’t call for help until you are safe.

3. In case of stove fire: If the fire is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner. Throw lots of salt on it. Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth.

4. Grease fire: Do not use water. Cover the fire so as to remove oxygen.

5. Always have a fire extinguisher by the kitchen and near a Christmas tree during the Holidays.

6. Electrical fire: Switch off appliance and pull out the plug. Smother fire with a blanket. Avoid water or wet area during electrical fire. Water is an electrical conductor. Stepping on water can give you electrical shock.