The deadly fire that killed 12 people in Philadelphia January 5 has an entire city in mourning and people across the country refocusing on fire precautions.
The victims of the Philadelphia fire, who ranged in age from 2 to 33, all died from smoke inhalation, according to the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office. A preliminary investigation
found there were no properly working smoke detectors in the row house at the time of the fire, authorities said. Tragically four days after the devastating fire in Philadelphia, 17 people perished in a fire at an apartment complex in the Bronx. The victims of the New York fire also died of smoke inhalation, according to published reports. A space heater is believed to have caused the fire, authorities said. Smoke from the fire spread rapidly because a stairwell door that was supposed to close automatically appears to have been open, fire authorities said.
Fire Safety
Whether you live in an apartment, or single family home, a small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds. Within minutes, thick black smoke can fill a building and engulf it in
flames. If you wake up to a fire, you have only minutes to escape. Smoke from fire is Pitch Black! While a fire may begin as bright, it quickly produces black smoke, putting the building into
complete darkness. If you are awakened to a fire you may not be able to find your way to escape, even in a home you’ve lived in for years.
While flames may be hot, the heat caused by a fire can be deadly. The temperature in a room on fire can be 100 degrees at floor level, but rise to 600 degrees at eye level. If you inhale this
heat, it can scorch your lungs and melt your clothes to your body. In about five minutes, the heat from a fire can become super-hot and cause a flashover.
Smoke and toxic gasses kill more people than flames
A fire uses up oxygen and produces deadly smoke and poisonous gasses. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gasses can disorient you, make you drowsy and cause you to fall into a deep sleep – even before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up to escape.
Be prepared and help keep your family safe from fires
Make sure your home has working smoke detectors on each floor. This is the easiest way to alert your family to a possible fire. Replace the batteries twice a year and test your smoke detectors monthly. Equip your home with fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. Having an escape plan is also essential. Practice the plan and make sure everyone knows what
to do and is aware of escape routes. Designate a family meeting place outside of your home. Statistically, the majority of house fires occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. You have
a mere two to three minutes to get out of your home to safety when a smoke alarm goes off. Having a plan in place when the smoke alarm jolts you out of a sound sleep can mean the
difference between life and death. Map out your home, make sure windows open easily and make sure everyone has two ways out, whether it be a door or a window. Keeping yourself and your family safe in the event of a fire is up to you.
Contact Delco Alarm Systems for additional information on the latest residential fire detection systems. 610-494-9100.