Know what to do if a fire breaks out in your home is key to keeping your family safe.
This message was recently echoed by President Joseph R. Biden, who urged everyone to learn about fire safety.
“ I call on all Americans to educate themselves about fire prevention and safety and recommit to taking the necessary steps to prevent fires, ” Biden said in a Fire Prevention Proclamation. “Whether you are in your own home or camping in one of America’s majestic National Parks, taking the proper precautions and safety measures can help prevent fires and save your life and the lives of your family and others while protecting our natural wonders.”
PLAN AHEAD
One of the simplest precautions you can take to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke detectors on each floor. Remember, fire is fast. A small flame can get totally out of control and turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds. If you wake up to a fire, there is no time to grab valuables, there is only time to escape.
HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN
Fire quickly produces black smoke, putting your home 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. This makes an escape plan essential.
The heat caused by a fire can quickly rise to 600 degrees at eye level. If you inhale this heat, it can scorch your lungs and melt your clothes. In about five minutes, the heat from a fire can become super-hot and cause a flashover.
A fire uses up oxygen and produces deadly smoke and poisonous gases. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases 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.
Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do if a fire breaks out and is aware of escape routes. Make a plan and practice it so everyone knows what to do. Designate a family meeting place outside of your home.
The majority of house fires occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Having properly placed smoke detectors and an escape plan if the smoke alarm jolts you out of a sound sleep can mean the difference between life and death.
Keeping yourself and your family safe in the event of a fire is up to you. If you have any questions about residential or commercial alarm systems, the professionals at Delco Alarm Systems would be happy to assist you. For more information call 610-459-9100.