Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department

Safety

 

Fire Home Safety

Please read the following Fire Safety Tips carefully and make sure that everyone in your home understands the importance of fire prevention.

Kitchen

  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking
  • Keep pot handles turned inward so pots cannot be pulled down by children
  • If pan on stovetop catches fire, cover it and turn off burner

Basement

  • Do not store combustible items such as liquids, solvents, and paints in basement
  • Store items such as newspapers or rags in metal containers with a tight lid
  • Keep items like newspapers, clothes etc. at least one foot away from heat sources like radiators, water heaters or furnaces

Bedrooms

  • Place smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and in hallways
  • Never place electrical cords under rugs, radiators, beds, etc
  • Keep a rechargeable flashlight near your bed to see in an emergency
  • Never smoke in bed

Living Quarters

  • Check all electrical appliances for worn or frayed cords or plugs
  • Never leave fireplaces or wood stoves unattended. Dispose of cool ashes in a lidded metal container
  • Never leave lit cigarettes in ashtrays. Check around sofas and chairs for smoldering cigarette butts before going to bed
  • Keep portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn heaters off before leaving the house or going to bed

Fire Safety Tips

  • Use electrical appliances safely
  • Install smoke detectors on every level of your home especially outside sleeping areas. Test and vacuum detectors monthly (dust can impair their effectiveness). Change batteries at least twice a year
  • Plan and practice your escape – Plan two ways out of every room. Select a meeting place outside the house where everyone will gather, and practice your plan often
  • Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and install one on each level of your home, especially in the kitchen, basement and garage. Place away from stove or other heat sources, out of children’s reach and near an escape route.
  • Inspect fire extinguishers monthly, and maintain them according to manufacturer’s instructions
  • Make sure your address is visible – the fire department cannot help you unless you can be found. Make sure the number of your house is visible from the street and is in a lighted area so it can be seen at night
  • Crawl low under smoke – The cleanest air will be closest to the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees to get to the nearest safe exit. If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp handkerchief.
  • Check lamps and ceiling fixtures to make sure wiring is intact. If an appliance smokes or smells, turn it off immediately. Examine electrical cords before and replace any that are frayed or cracked. Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Keep matches and lighters away from children

How to Get Out Safely

  • Stay calm so you can think clearly.
  • If the door is closed, feel it from bottom to top with back of your hand. If it is cool you may open the door.
  • Brace foot and shoulder against the door and open slowly. If there is light smoke, quickly get low and crawl to the nearest exit.
  • Stay low and avoid smoke/toxic gases that collect on ceilings.
  • Close all doors behind you.
  • Never use an elevator during a fire.
  • Once out, call fire department. Never go back to get anything!

If You are Trapped

  • Do not panic! If you exert yourself, you will breathe faster and take in more smoke/toxic gases that can burn your lungs or knock you unconscious.
  • Keep all doors between you and the fire closed and stuff clothing/towels at the bottom of them to keep out smoke/gases.
  • Open a window.
  • Escape through the open window if there is an easy way to the ground (and smoke or flames are not rising from the lower floor), or stand by the window, shout for help, wave something and wait for rescue.
  • If you cannot escape and there’s a phone in the room, call 911 or Fire Department and report your exact location.
  • If Your Clothing Catches on Fire
  • STOP where you are. Moving or running feeds air to the flames and worsens the fire.
  • DROP to the ground. Place your hands over your eyes, nose, and mouth to protect the face.
  • ROLL slowly back and forth on the ground until flames are smothered.
  • Seek immediate medical attention.