Unfortunately, most people don’t have a plan if a fire breaks out in the home. That’s why it’s important to prepare for worst-case scenarios should a home fire strike. Having a plan of action in place can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, particularly if it strikes in the middle of the night.
Many home fires are the result of faulty wiring or some other unforeseen flaw. That’s why a good place to start is to review and inventory your home’s furnishings and appliances, making sure that nothing with a frayed cord or other damage is plugged into the electric grid. Part of that inventory should include making sure you don’t have any particular outlet overloaded with plugged-in devices, even if you have an extension cord.
One key to not overloading your home’s lamps is to make sure that you’re using the correct wattage bulbs. Ensure that you have Ground Floor Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) or Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) installed. These will halt electric shocks and fires by shutting down damaged circuits, thereby preventing many problems from escalating.
While you’re touring, make sure no electrical wires run under your carpets or touch potentially flammable curtains or other fabrics.
Smoke Detectors
Because many fires happen at night, you’ll need the warning of a smoke detector to alert you to potential problems. Many fire victims die of smoke inhalation (in fact, asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in fires by a three to one ratio) because fires spew poisonous gases that can render a sleeper into a deeper slumber.
Super-heated air is also dangerous because it can sear the lungs. Room temperatures can range from 100 degrees at floor level to more than 600 degrees at eye level, a heat so intense that clothes can melt into the skin. A room can become so super-heated that everything in it will ignite instantaneously. Keep in mind that black smoke will disorient you, blinding you even in the most familiar settings.
Regularly changing batteries and making sure smoke detectors are operational is a good practice. Many people change the batteries on their smoke detectors when the fall and spring clocks change.
The alarms should be placed outside each sleeping area, and one should be present in each level of the home. There are also interconnected fire alarms that will sound all of them when just one is triggered, a good idea for multi-level homes.
Escape Plans
But getting the warning is only half of the problem. You also need an escape plan, one that offers alternatives in case the main routes are blocked by fire, fallen objects or other hazards. It’s time to gather the family and walk through the home, going over all possible exits and escape routes. It’s best to plan for at least two exits from each room, including windows and doors. Make sure any member of the family can open the windows easily and that there are no objects that potentially may block a doorway. If there are barred windows, there should be a release switch easily accessible from the inside.
Once you have a planned route, discuss where everyone will meet once they are outside, so a head count can be made and all can be assured that everyone is out. If you have someone with limited mobility in the family or if you have pets, let the family discuss which adult will be responsible for them. It’s a good idea to have a backup person as well. Fire strikes without warning, and the designated person may be out of town or otherwise away from home at a crucial moment.
It’s also a good idea if every family member memorizes the fire department phone number. It’s also a good idea to hold one fire drill every six months so that you can see the plan in action. Keep in mind that most fires can escalate in 30 seconds or less. Stress that getting out quickly and safely is of the utmost urgency. Stopping to grab items or otherwise delaying your exit could prove to be a disastrous choice.
Finally, it’s not a bad idea to practice the idea of defending in place. This means sealing off a room if smoke or fire is so severe that it prevents exiting. This means closing all doors and using wet towels or duct tape to seal the cracks. Going to the window and seeking help from the rescue teams is the final step.
Other Fire Prevention Considerations
Cooking is a prime way for fires to start. Always supervise food cooking. If you have to step away from the stove for a short time, turn it off. It’s also a good idea to avoid cooking if you are drowsy, have been consuming alcohol or ingest medicine that can cause you to lose focus. Leaving an item on the burning stove is a sure-fire firestarter. Some people have a habit of disabling a smoke detector while cooking. This is a bad choice and should not be done.
If you smoke, take extra precautions. Most home fires related to smoking start inside the home. Cigarettes should always be disposed of properly and not simply tossed in the garbage. It’s a good idea to douse them in water or a sand-filled container. Absolutely never smoke in bed, particularly if you have been drinking.
Portable space heaters and generators can cause fires. Keep flammable objects well away from the heat source, and make sure that the devices have a fail-safe shut-off valve if they are accidentally tipped over. Do not use heaters made for outdoor use indoors. They can leach dangerous gases into your home. If you have a wood stove or chimney, make sure they're inspected at least twice a year to make sure they are in good working order. Do not leave them burning when leaving your home. Never use lighted candles when you are not fully awake and make sure to extinguish them before going to bed.
Keeping your family safe from potential fires is a matter of careful observation. A good plan and a keen eye will go a long way toward minimizing risk in your home.