Fire Safety Fires occur in more than 350,000 homes and kills more than 3000 people each year in the United States. Four leading causes of house fires: Careless cooking habits Spills, such as grease or oil can be dangerous. Careless cigarette smoking Falling asleep while smoking Improper disposal

Fire Safety Improper storage of flammable materials Flammable-able to catch fire. Paint, newspapers and rags. Electrical overload or damaged electrical circuits and wiring Electrical overload-a dangerous situation in which too much electrical current flows along a single current. Frayed wires and damaged cords

Preventing Fires Keep stoves and ovens clean. Anyone who smokes should never smoke in bed. Store matches and cigarette lighters in safe places, out of the reach of children. Check electrical appliances for loose or damaged cords.

Preventing Fires Repair or replace damaged appliances and broken outlets. Never run electrical cords under carpets. The movement of people and weight of furniture can damage cords lying under the rugs.

Being Prepared for a Fire Smoke alarms-deices that sound an alarm when they sense smoke. Install one on every level of the house. Inside or just outside each sleeping areas. Check each month by pressing the test button. Change batteries every year. Jan. 1st.

Being Prepared for a Fire Every home needs at least on fire extinguisher. Read and understand the instructions. Check pressure gauge periodically, replace when needed. Have an escape plan. Have ladders for upper level windows. Have a meeting point outside. Practice every six months. (fire drill)

Escaping a Fire If possible leave quickly. Get out before calling for help. Before opening a closed door, feel it to see if it is hot. If it is hot, do not open it. Flames may be outside. If you must exit through smoke crawl along the floor. Smoke and hot air rises, stay low and breath in clean air.

Escaping a Fire If you can’t get out, stay in the room with the door closed. Roll up a blanket or towel and put across the bottom of the door to keep the smoke out. Call for help or open the window and yell for help. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll. Rolling will smother the flames. Never run, the rush of air will fan the flames.

Escaping a Fire Once outside, go to the prearranged meeting place. Let everyone know you are safe. Call 911 or the fire department. Never reenter a burning building.

Preventing Injuries Preventing falls Falls account for the largest number of nonfatal injuries among people under age 14. Safety in the kitchen Clean up spills right away. Use a step stool to get items out of reach. Safety in the bathroom Put nonskid mats on the bottom of the tub or shower. Install handgrips on sides of tub for older adults. Secure rugs with tape, or get them with latex backings.

Preventing Injuries Safety on the stairs Safety at school Keep well lighted. Don’t leave objects on steps. Put up gates, if there are small children in the house. Safety at school Wipe off wet or snowy shoes. Walk, don’t run in the hallways or stairs.

Preventing Injuries Preventing poisonings Never refer to a child’s medicine or vitamins as candy. Make sure that all medicines have child-resistant caps. Put meds or poisons away immediately after using them. Keep all cleaning products in their original, labeled containers. Store all poisonous substances in high cabinets.

Preventing Injuries Preventing electric shocks Never use an electrical appliance near water. Unplug small appliances when not in use. Pull out an electrical plug by the plug itself, not by the cord. Repair or replace loose or damaged cords. In homes with small children, cover unused outlets with outlet protectors.

Preventing Injuries Gun safety Observe basic gun safety rules. Store guns unloaded and in a locked cabinet. Bullets should be stored in a different locked cabinet. A gun should never be pointed at anyone. Always aim the barrel down when carrying. Treat as if it were loaded.