Top 5 Simple Ways to Prevent Home Fires

Home Chimmney fires

We lost our home and all our possesions, last year! Its was caused by a faulty joint in our fireplaces, sectional zero clearance chimmney, which had to be moved by the "Roofing Contractor, who had replaced our old roof with a new one. The workmen who did the job, hadnt properly reconstructed the sections , which allowed embers from our first fire, after the work was completed. The embers had time to smolder and created smoke which we noticed but couldnt exact its source, I decided to get a ladder from our garage to try and locate the source via the crawl space in a closet, As it was a November cold evening the house was buttoned tight , to keep out the cold. When I tried to open the front door, I noticed it was stuck and hard to open, as soon as I opened the door, flames shot out of our ducts . and soon the entire bead board ceiling was aflame!! We managed to get out just as the fire went out of control, The fire dept chief, explained that the fire was just wailting for enough oxegyn, to fully ignite. The only solution he gave was if you smell smoke but cant find its source,and there is no visible flames!! You should first be sure everyone i s safe and ready to evacuate the home if need be < DO NOT open any windows or doors that lead outside, call 911, and explain to the operator the circumstances and follow their directions , If we hadnt opened the outside doors the fire would have just smoldered, and could probably been extinquished w/out it being a fully engulfed major fire, > always be concerned with getting out, but if you have the options let the fire dept , determine the source if possible !

Larry & Kat Castle of AZ @ Nov 14, 2009 12:07:26 PM

IN HOME FIRE DRILL

MY FATHER WAS ASST FIRE CHIEF (VOLUNTEER) WHEN I WAS A KID. HE TOLD US KIDS THAT IF WE WOKE UP IN THE NIGHT AND SMELLED SMOKE, NOT TO OPEN OUR BEDROOM DOOR IF IT FELT HOT TO THE TOUCH BUT TO GO OUT OUR BEDROOM WINDOW

AROUND TO THEIR BEDROOM WINDOW AND WAKE THEM THAT WAY.

THOUGHT IT WORTH MENTIONING.

G.G. of FL @ Jan 02, 2009 22:11:42 PM

Exit Point in case of Emergencies - FIRE

Emergencies happen when we least expect it . . .

At any rate, Exit Points or Fire Exits must be in place to avoid entrapment of person in the event of Fires.

There was an incident in Manila 28th of December 2008 wherein two persons died due to entrapment at the second level of their residence.

Just some thoughts.

Daryl Salud @ Jan 02, 2009 22:05:49 PM

Candles are a big issue

I hate it when I look at candles in stores with very low grade containers. The cute ones in some container that has floral trim on it or something. Or the cheap glass containers with a candle in it. Stop and think...even pyrex has been known to crack wide open in an oven so how is a glass candle holder any better? It's just not good enough. If you have a power failure and need to light candles, make sure you place the candle inside a small saucepan with a handle, and place it on top of your stove. Don't place candles on low level coffee tables as they are a hazard for children or the excited dog's tail or the curious cat.

Also why doesn't the article mention one key item? A FIRE EXTINGUISHER!! One fire extinguisher in your house for every 400 square feet and make sure it's an ABC rated fire extinguisher. I remember the hospital HR director told us about the time he was at a party with a buffet and he got to close to the candle (2 feet away), and his shirt caught on fire. If it weren't for the area rug they rolled him up in and the fire extinguisher he would have permanent burn damagee or worse. By all means, those of you who want to know what to get someone for their new house or apartment? Get them a good fire extinguisher as a gift, instead of a set of towels.

Best of Luck to all.

Ryan Russell of MA @ Jan 02, 2009 20:37:34 PM

Fire Safety In The Home

Every house should have a smoke detector. A smoke detector that can be hard wired is the best way to go. That way, you never have to worry about replacing the batteries in it. If you do have a battery powered smoke detector, then change the batteries everytime daylight savings time occurs on a calendar. Always pay close attention to where you mount the smoke detector. Mount detectors just outside of any bedrooms, especially upstairs rooms. Never mount it in a corner or any closer than a foot away from a perpendicular wall surface to ensure that it detects smoke as soon as possible. Another good idea is to mount a rate of rise type of smoke detector near kitchens. This will almost completely eliminate false alarms due to smoke from food burning off of the stove or oven. A rate of rise detector will activate once a pre-determined temperature has been reached within the structure. Another good tip that is related involves closing doors inside a structure. This will cut down on smoke entering rooms where occupants are sleeping. Smoke, along with all the byproducts, will kill you in your sleep and almost certainly allow flame and superheated gases to travel from room to room.

Steve Friedman of CA @ Jan 02, 2009 16:45:39 PM

fire safety

I think that there should be a command post or room what ever you want to call it, from that room you have a speaker on each floor directing the people where to go and what to do or remind people not to take the elevator, which stair way to take this might be the beginning of a thought which I think is a valid one, maybe one or more persons will be assign to handle the mike system or teach everybody to handle the mike.

These suggestions are for where I live which is a high rise it maybe help full for all high rise apartments

joseph yozzo of NY @ Dec 15, 2008 18:49:42 PM