Preparation:

Nobody expects a fire to occur in their home. But in the event that one does occur, preparation can make the difference between life and death for you and your family. Or it can mean the difference between a quick repair or payment by the insurance company in your time of need.

Some of the ways that you can ensure that you and your family don't become one 4,400 fire deaths per year, is by ensuring that your home has one or all of the following:

• Smoke Detectors
• Fire Alarms
• Sprinklers
• Fire Extinguishers
• Escape ladders
• Home escape plan

There may be a situation where there is no way to get out. It may be necessary to sit tight and wait for the Fire Department to put the fire out. Close as many doors between you and the fire as possible. Stuff the cracks of the door, and any vents that are allowing smoke into the room. If available, add additional material such as a mattress or a table over the door and prop them in place with other pieces of furniture. Make your location known. If there is a phone available and it works, call for help. If there is no phone, or it doesn’t work, yell, or hang a sheet out a window to get someone’s attention. If you need to open a window to do so, but avoid breaking the window if at all possible. The need may arise to close the window if smoke from outside is coming in.

Many times people are hesitant to call the Fire Department for small fires. There are a number of reasons for this. Some people feel themselves capable of handling the situation. Others are embarrassed that they had a fire, and don’t want anyone to know. Some fear being charged for the service that the Fire Department provides. Consider the risks. Three reasons for making the call are:

• You are required by law to report fires.
• It is often necessary to have a fire report on hand from the Fire Department before an insurance company will pay compensation.
• Fires should be reported even when you think they have been put out so that they may be inspected by the Fire Department to insure that they have been completely extinguished.
  

Any fire department on earth would much rather come out and check your home to make sure the fire is extinguished, rather than experience the possibility of rescuing a person from a burning building.

Some facts about fire:

Fire is fast:

In less than 30 seconds, a small fire can turn into an out of control fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill an entire house. Get out immediately!

Fire is hot:

In a fire, the temperatures can range from 100 degrees at the floor, to 600 degrees at eye level. This heat can melt clothing to your body, scorch your lungs when you breath in super heated air, and within 5 minutes, a room can become so hot, that everything inside can ignite immediately.

Fire is dark:

Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black! Most people assume that a fire will allow enough light to be able to see their way out. But the fact is, smoke will fill up a home within minutes, preventing you from seeing your hand in front of your face. Most people become disoriented, or confused, unable to find your way out of a home you've lived in for years.

Fire is deadly:

Smoke and toxic gases kill people long before a fire ever gets close. Fires use up the available oxygen in a home, and even breathing in small amounts of these toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented or short of breath. The odorless and colorless gases can cause you to fall into a deep sleep before the fire even gets close enough to notice.

Most people believe that they will smell smoke while sleeping and be able to get out of the house. The fact is, that while you are sleeping, your sense of smell does not work like it does while you are awake. For all intended purposes, your nose goes to sleep when you do. Don't rely on it to wake you in time. Use a smoke detector!

And remember, a smoke detector that does not work, is worthless! Replace your batteries twice a year when you change your clocks.