Fire Fighting 101

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Preparation Forum : One Thread

There are two other posts regarding fighting fires in this forum but with so many posts now coming here each day, I decided to start a new one.

As the heating season approaches in the North, I am deeply worried about the increase use of candles, lanterns, room heaters, and wood stoves for any "local" power failures caused by Y2K!

One of the most important tips that *ALL* members of your family should have committed to memory is, "Stop, Drop and Roll," in the event that your clothing catches fire. Make sure to drill on this one!

Tip #2: Draw up a fire escape plan. This should include two exits from any room in your house with a designated meeting area, such as, by the tree on the corner of the street. Make sure it is a safe distance from your house. For second floors and attics, consider purchasing rope ladders. Conduct a drill.

Tip #3: Only attempt to extinguish small fires which you KNOW that you can put out, such as waste barrels and ash trays.

Tip #4: Make sure that all smoke detectors are located in the correct places (outside of all sleeping areas) and their batterys are charged up. Also, have battery-backup, Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors installed.

Tip #5: Make sure all doors are closed tight at night (to stop the flow of smoke).

Tip #6: Have at least one fully-charged fire extinguisher on each level of your home (and in your car) and know how to use it. Make sure it is rated ABC for all types of fires. Read the directions that come with the extinguisher, they are invaluable! Always aim the extinguisher at the BASE of the fire.

Tip #7: If you wake up in the middle of the night with the alarm going off, check the door with the back side of your hand (most sensitive to heat) and do not open it if it is hot! Use the other exit from your escape plan. If you have to walk through a smoke-filled room, the safest breathing area is approximately 3-4 feet above ground. The most toxic fumes are near the floor while most of the heat is at the top.

Tip #8: Shut all doors as you leave and pull the closest fire alarm box. You, or someone designated, should remain there until they show up or call 911 from a neighbors house.

Tip #9: Never go back into a burning building, once you leave it.

Tip #10: Most flammable liquid fires (such as in a cooking pan), can be extinguished by covering it with a lid.

There are many more tips such as not overloading electrical outlets, checking for and replacing frayed wires, etc.

Here are some links for you and your family!

http://www.fireplans.com

http://www.sparky.org

http://www.nfpa.org

-- Sparky (Captain@Rescue.One), November 28, 1999

Answers

One reservation I have (due to Y2K) about the standard good advice about how to react to a fire in your house: if TS does indeed HTF societally, your stockpiled supplies, tools, etc. may make the difference between life and death for your family. The shelter aspect may be this way as well, especially if your climate is northern. Therefore, IMO, somewhat more effort/risk may be indicated (appropriate to take if you do have a fire) for amateur home firefighting next year than would be the case if Y2K did not exist as a threat to normal societal functioning.

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), December 02, 1999.


Two people working in tandem with an extinguisher each can put out a much larger fire. Keep the exit to your rear of course, and spend the money on the larger units. An 8 lb extinguisher should give you about 13 secs of fire fighting time, some of the smaller units give you less than 5 secs.

-- Richard Mas (willie@burn.com), December 05, 1999.

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