Fire

Every year, preventable fires cause a large amount of deaths, injuries and property damage in the United States.  In order to safeguard yourself and your family, it is necessary to learn the characteristics of fire.  For instance, fire spreads swiftly and does not allow you time to collect your possessions or make a phone call.  It only takes two minutes for a fire to be life-threatening and a building can be overwhelmed by flames in five minutes.

Because it can burn your lungs, the heat and smoke from a fire may be more hazardous to you than the flames.  Also, the gases created from a fire may make you tired and disoriented; you may go into a deeper sleep rather than waking up.  Asphyxiation causes more fire-associated deaths than burns.

What to do before a fire

1.  Put up smoke detectors on each level of your residence.  Test, clean and change the batteries on them every year.  Plan to install new smoke detectors every ten years.

2.  Map out two separate escape routes from every room in your house.  Practice your plan and make sure everyone understands it.  While rehearsing your plan teach everyone to stay low to the ground and meet at a designated location outside the house.

3.  Clear out trash and old newspapers or magazines from storage areas.

4.  Inspect the electrical wiring in your home to make certain it is safe and in good repair.

5.  Do not use flammable liquids indoors and avoid smoking near them.  Store any dangerous liquids in approved containers in areas with good ventilation.

6.  Clean and inspect heating sources every year.  Dirty or broken heating systems are the source of many fires.

7.  Chimneys should be insulated and have spark arresters on top.  Make sure the chimney is at least three feet higher than the roof and does not have branches around it.

8.  Use caution when employing different heating sources (wood, coal, kerosene and electrical space heaters).

9.  Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

10.  Avoid smoking in bed and when tired or on medication.  Give smokers deep, sturdy ashtrays and dispose of butts safely.

11.  Sleep with your door closed.

12.  Learn how to shut off household utilities.

13.  Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in your house and make sure everyone knows how to use them.

14.  Think about putting in an automatic fire sprinkler system.

15.  Ask your local fire protection department to inspect your home for fire safety.

16.  Instruct children how to report a fire and when to call 911.

17.  Maintain an inventory of your house to assist insurance claims. Store this list in a separate location.

What to do during a fire

1.  Put out minor fires with water or a fire extinguisher.  Do not attempt to control a fire that is becoming too large.  If you cannot manage the fire, get everyone out of the house and call the fire department from a neighbor’s house.

2.  For electrical fires, only use a fire extinguisher that is approved for electrical fires.  Do not use water.

3.  For oil or grease fires in the kitchen, smother the flames with baking soda or salt or put a lid over the flames (if in a pan).  Do not try to take the pan outside.

4.  If your clothes are on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL!  Do not run, this will only make the fire burn more rapidly.

5.  To escape through a closed door:

• Feel the top of door, doorknob and crack between the door and the door frame with the back of your hand.  Do not use the palm of your hand; this can limit your ability to escape.

• If the door is cool, slowly open it to make sure there is no smoke or fire blocking your exit.  If all is clear, exit through the door; you may need to stay near the floor where the air is cooler and clearer.  If the path is blocked, shut the door and use a different escape route (i.e. window).

• If the door is hot, keep it closed.  Use a different escape route (i.e. window).  If you cannot get out, hang a light colored sheet out the window to let fire fighters know where you are.

6.  When there is no choice but to escape through smoke, stay low and crawl to the exit.

7.  As you escape, shutting doors behind you will slow down the fire’s progress.

8.  Stay out of the building once you have escaped and call 911.

What to do after a fire

1.  After calling 911, check for injuries and follow proper first aid procedures.  Burns should be cooled and covered to reduce further infection or injury.

2.  Until the experts say it is safe, do not go back into a fire-damaged structure.  If you have to re-enter, be watchful for smoke and heat.  Leave immediately if you notice either.

3.  Do not turn the electricity turned back on until it is professionally inspected.

4.  Do not try to reconnect utility lines yourself.

5.  Recognize that there may be structural damage, including roofs and floors.

6.  Contact a local relief agency if you need shelter or food.

7.  Contact your insurance agent.  Prepare a list of damages, document repair costs and keep all damaged items until an official inventory has been finished.

8.  If you are a renter, call the landlord.  They are responsible for preventing additional damage to the location.

9.  Find any personal possessions and take them to a different site.

10.  Throw out any food, drink or medicines that have been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

11.  Do not open safes or strong boxes until they have cooled.  If the door is release before the box is cooled, the contents could burst into flames.

12.  If you are unable to return to your home because it is declared unsafe:

• Notify local law enforcement so they can watch the property.

• Gather any valuables and important papers that you can reach safelty.

• Tell your friends, relatives, police department, fire department, insurance agent, employers, schools and post office where you will be.

(Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency. Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness.)

For More Information, Please Visit

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• U.S. Fire Administration
• American Red Cross

Other Natural Disasters

• Floods

• Tornadoes

• Thunderstorms

• Winter Weather

• Extreme Heat

• Fire

• Earthquake

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McHenry County Department of Health
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