FIRE

Every year, millions of homes all over the world are lost due to residential fire. In addition, a lot of people got injured, while some died because of the accident. This statistics is an indication that despite the efforts of their respective governments, some people just did not learn from others' mistakes. What is even more depressing is that most of the incidents would have been prevented if homeowners were more cautious and more concerned about safety in their homes. One common reason that can cause fire in homes and other premises is a bunch of cigarette butts that were left unattended or were not put out before disposal. It is therefore safe to conclude that smoking is not 
only bad for one's health, but to other individuals and properties as well.



AT HOME

Fires, as it has been shown by recent tragic events, remain a major cause of death, burns, injuries and property damage or loss of goods.
Fires and burns are among the leading causes of unintentional injury and death at home. It is therefore important to take a certain number of precautions in order to minimize the risk of a deadly and destructive fire at home. By doing this you offer your family, your home and your possessions greater protection from the menace of fire. Additionally you should bare in mind that the very young and the very old, are particularly at high risk in the case of home fire.


The use of smoke detectors can offer great services. However one smoke detector at home is not enough. Smoke detectors should be installed at every level. They are necessary especially outside of sleeping rooms.

Smoke detectors should be checked regularly. Experience shows that many don't work because of batteries problems. A good practice is to change batteries every six months.
Smoke detectors should be tested according to the guidelines of the manufacturer. It is important that all members of the family, including the children, should know how to test the smoke detectors. Most importantly everybody should be familiarized with the sounds of the alarm. Most smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.
Automatic fire sprinklers offer additional security. Homes protected by smoke alarms and fire sprinklers offer significantly more safety. The chances for a family for surviving a home fire rises to 40 till 50 percent in case of smoke detectors use alone, in comparison with cases where no smoke detectors are used. In the case of the presence of both systems, the chance for a family for surviving a home fire rises sharply to 82%, compared with the absence of both systems.
Fire sprinklers have been widely used in buildings. In-home fire sprinklers are nowadays available. According to experts a fire sprinkler system is the single most important piece of safety equipment you can put in your home today.
Statistics show that 90% of fires are contained or extinguished by just one sprinkler.Sprinkler systems are activated by the heat. Each sprinkler can operate independently. Activation time of a fire sprinkler, no matter how intense the fire is, should be less than one minute
Accidental discharge of water from fire sprinklers is very rare. In case of fire, the water damage because of water sprinklers, is much less than the water damage caused by the firefighters who use much more water to extinguish a fire.


Fire extinguishers are as well a useful piece of life -saving equipment to have at home.
An all-purpose fire extinguisher (rated for grease fires and electrical fires) in the kitchen, near the furnace or anywhere a fire may start. Fire extinguishers are not expensive, can save lives and everybody in the house should be trained to use them.


Smoking in the house is not only bad for your health but can as well be dangerous because it can initiate a fire. 
Smoking in bed is a potential hazard: You should never smoke in your bed. You have to make sure that cigarettes and cigars are completely extinguished before dumping ashes.

Matches, lighters and candles should be kept away from children. Fire-retardant sleepwear for children can decrease the severity of burns and are recommended for the children when they go to sleep.
Materials from fireplaces should be disposed of in non-flammable containers. Chimney fires are common, especially in cases that that chimneys are not inspected and cleaned at least annually. Flammable materials should be kept away from heat sources.
The electrical system of the house can be a source of fire if over-loaded. The system should not be overloaded and additionally a thorough surveillance of the wires should find out worn wiring which should be immediately discarded. Appliances should be kept unplugged when not in use.


It is important to have an escape plan in case of fire.
Families who create and practice a fire escape plan, have much more chances to avoid a tragedy if a fire happens at their house. Everybody in the family should know what to do when a smoke alarm starts.


Each member of the family should have at least two specific escape roots including two exits, doors or windows.
 An emergency number to call the fire department  and for help, should be readily available and even better memorized, by members of the family. A meeting place, at a given point outside the house, should be specified so that all members of the family should gather and make sure that everybody is safe.
Experts stress out the fact that in case of home fire, there are only few minutes available for escaping.
 If you consider that the members of the family may have to wake up in the middle of the night because of a quickly advancing fire, the importance for everybody knowing what to do and without panic is capital. It is in such cases that 
the presence of one working smoke alarm on every level of the house can save lives.
Rehearsing the escape plan every six months secures that everybody knows well what to do and that safety measures in the house are sufficient and functional. 


An important information that children and adults alike should know is that smoke and heat rise, so during a fire there is a cleaner, cooler air near the floor.
If somebody, in order to escape from a fire should go through smoke, must bare in mind that a more safe zone is near the floor. Therefore crawling on the hands or knees with the head 1 to 2 feet above the floor, could be of help.


The fire-wise landscape can minimize the risk of fire propagation to your house. A safety zone of at least 30 foot around the house is necessary. Dry grass, dead leaves, brush should be removed. In this way fire has no combustible to advance. In cases that the house is located on a slope, it is better to clear out a 100 feet safety zone.
The landscape outside the house can be of importance for protecting or propagating a wild fire to your home. 
Houses near forests, grasslands and foothills are particularly vulnerable. Families living under these circumstances, should be sure to take all necessary safety precautions.

Planting fire resistant plants can offer additional protection. In areas which are prone to wild fires, experts can advise about fire-resistant plants which fit better to the local environment and climate. A big green lawn and good irrigation of the surrounding plants are a good protection against fire propagation.



AT SCHOOL

      Guidelines
  • Establish a fire safety plan.
  • Evacuate students in immediate danger.
  • Sound the alarm.
  • Fight the fire with the proper equipment only if you are not putting yourself or anyone else in danger. DO NOT FIGHT the fire if it is spreading rapidly or blocking your exit. If you do not know how to use the fire equipment, leave the building immediately.
  • Close room doors and hallway doors to prevent air movement and spread of smoke.
  • DO NOT PANIC. Advise students that the fire plan is in operation and remain calm. Your confidence and judgment is extremely important and will prevent panic.


      For Laboratories

  • Store flammable liquids properly and dispense them from an approved safety container.
  • Avoid storing incompatible chemicals next to each other as interaction may occur and cause a fire or explosion.
  • Survey chemicals annually and discard any which are obsolete or show signs of decomposition.
  • Order and store the minimum supply necessary.
  • Clean up spills immediately.
  • Repair all electrical hazards and avoid overloading outlets.
  • Dispose of rubbish regularly and in a proper manner.


     For Classrooms

  • Keep combustible material away from heaters.
  • Avoid portable heaters.
  • Clearly mark the evacuation route on the school floor plan, and place it adjacent to the classroom door.
  • Check electrical appliances and cords regularly, and disconnect appliances where practical.
  • Keep all doorways clear.
  • Dispose of rubbish daily.

     Role of Teachers
  •  Provide verbal and written safety instructions to students.
  •  Have an understanding of the potential hazards of all materials,       processes and equipment that will be used.
  •  Document in your lesson plans safety measures you take as a part  of your teaching.
  •  Be familiar with location and use of safety equipment, such as fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eyewash, etc.
  •  Report existing and potential hazards to the principal in writing.
  •  Instruct students in the proper use of safety equipment.
  •  Be aware of common poisonous materials.
  •  Review safety procedures personally and with students before each activity.
  •  Have a supply of first-aid materials on hand and know how to use them.
  •  Be aware of current safety research and regulations.
  •  Never leave students unsupervised.
  •  Do an annual safety inspection of the classroom and the laboratory.
  •  Do a monthly check of all safety equipment.
  •  Post emergency telephone numbers in a conspicuous location in the science room.
  •  Lock science storage rooms and science cabinets & unoccupied science rooms.
  •  Store hazardous materials in the proper place.
  •  Routinely inventory all equipment and materials.



AT WORK


You are responsible for fire prevention at work for your safety and that of your co-workers. The best way to prevent workplace fires is to be aware of and on the lookout for potential fire hazards. Report hazardous situations to the supervisor. Know the location of fire extinguishers and other emergency equipment that is available to you. During an actual emergency, protect yourself. Do not get involved if it is not safe.
If you ever discover a fire, keep your cool but think fast and act with caution. Size it up fast; knowing when to attempt extinguishing the fire yourself and when to call for help is essential.
In case of fire, follow your company’s fire response procedures. The important thing is to know what to do and do it fast. The exact order to do the things depends on the established company procedures.
Sound the alarm and evacuate the area. Call the emergency numbers you’ve been given, and give the details about the fire (location, how it started etc.). Never hesitate to call the fire department, even if the fire seems minor and you manage to put it out before firefighters arrive. The quicker the alarm is sounded, the sooner firefighters can attempt to get it under control. Have someone meet the firefighters to tell where the fire is. They can lose valuable minutes if they have to find it themselves.
You are responsible for preventing fires, but not to put out major fires. Fight the fire only if you can do it safely with proper extinguishing materials. In general, never battle the blaze unless the firefighters request your help.
Warn anyone in the area so they can get to safety. This is especially important with indoor fires. Most people die from smoke, poisonous gases and panic (usually the result of not knowing what to do). If there is an escape plan, adapt it to the emergency.
Most fires start small, but they can rage out of control in a few minutes. It is important to know where the fire extinguishers are located and how to operate them properly. Distinguish before you extinguish. Choose the correct extinguisher for the type of fire (paper/wood, grease/gas/flammable liquids, electrical). If you are not trained or authorized to use an extinguisher, don’t try. The time you waste in figuring out how to operate an extinguisher could mean the difference between minor damage and a major disaster.
Review your company’s fire safety procedures often so you’ll now what to do. Act with caution. Sound the alarm. Warn others in the area. Evacuate and stay back unless you’re asked to help. In case of fire, being informed and prepared can keep you and your co-workers safe from injury.