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<p>Each year, more than 4,000 Americans
die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be
prevented. Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at $8.6 billion
annually.</p><p>To protect yourself, it is important
to understand the basic characteristics of fire. Fire spreads quickly;
there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two
minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence
can be engulfed in flames.</p><p>Heat and smoke from fire can be more
dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your
lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.
Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep.
Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by
a three-to-one ratio.</p><p><strong>What to do Before a Fire</strong></p><p>The following are things you can do to
protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of a fire: <br />
<br /><strong><em>Smoke Alarms</em></strong></p><ul><li>Install smoke alarms. Properly
working smoke alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.</li><li>Place smoke alarms on every
level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling
or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open
stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in)
the kitchen.</li><li>Test and clean smoke alarms
once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke
alarms once every 10 years.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Escaping the Fire</em></strong></p><ul><li>Review escape routes with
your family. Practice escaping from each room.</li><li>Make sure windows are not
nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have
a fire safety opening feature so they can be easily opened from the
inside.</li><li>Consider escape ladders if
your residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars
and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily
opened from the inside.</li><li>Teach family members to stay
low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from
a fire.</li><li>Clean out storage areas. Do
not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Flammable Items</em></strong></p><ul><li>Never use gasoline, benzine,
naptha, or similar flammable liquids indoors.</li><li>Store flammable liquids in
approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.</li><li>Never smoke near flammable
liquids.</li><li>Discard all rags or materials
that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them.
Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container.</li><li>Insulate chimneys and place
spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher
than the roof. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Heating Sources</em></strong></p><ul><li>Be careful when using alternative
heating sources.</li><li>Check with your local fire
department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community.
Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.</li><li>Place heaters at least three
feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls
are properly insulated.</li><li>Use only the type of fuel
designated for your unit and follow manufacturer’s instructions.</li><li>Store ashes in a metal container
outside and away from your residence.</li><li>Keep open flames away from
walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.</li><li>Keep a screen in front of
the fireplace.</li><li>Have heating units inspected
and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Matches and Smoking</em></strong></p><ul><li>Keep matches and lighters
up high, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.</li><li>Never smoke in bed or when
drowsy or medicated. Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays. Douse
cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Electrical Wiring</em></strong></p><ul><li>Have the electrical wiring
in your residence checked by an electrician.</li><li>Inspect extension cords for
frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.</li><li>Make sure outlets have cover
plates and no exposed wiring.</li><li>Make sure wiring does not
run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.</li><li>Do not overload extension
cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get
a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks
and short circuits.</li><li>Make sure insulation does
not touch bare electrical wiring.</li></ul><p><strong><em>Other</em></strong></p><ul><li>Sleep with your door closed.</li><li>Install A-B-C-type fire extinguishers
in your residence and teach family members how to use them.</li><li>Consider installing an automatic
fire sprinkler system in your residence.</li><li>Ask your local fire department
to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention. </li></ul><p><strong>What to do During a Fire</strong></p><p>If your clothes catch on fire, you should:</p><ul><li>STOP, DROP AND ROLL - until
the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster. </li></ul><p>To escape a fire, you should:</p><ul><li>Check closed doors for heat
before you open them. If you are escaping through a closed door, use
the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and
the crack between the door and door frame before you open it. Never
use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat - burning those
areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and
crawling). </li></ul><a name="0.5_table01"></a><div><ul><table border="4"><tbody><tr><td><table><tbody><tr valign="top"></tr></tbody><tr><td><strong>Hot
Door</strong></td>
<td><strong>Cool Door</strong></td></tr></table><tbody><tr valign="top"><td>Do not open. Escape
through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored
sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.</td>
<td>Open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke
is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked,
shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as
a window. If clear, leave immediately through the door and close it
behind you. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer
and cooler near the floor.</td></tr></tbody></td></td></tr></tbody></table></ul></div><ul><li>Crawl low under any smoke
to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the
ceiling.</li><li>Close doors behind you as
you escape to delay the spread of the fire.</li><li>Stay out once you are safely
out. Do not reenter. Call 9-1-1. </li></ul><p><strong>What to do After a Fire</strong></p><p>The following are guidelines for different
circumstances in the period following a fire:</p><ul><li><strong>If you are with burn victims,
or are a burn victim yourself</strong>, call 9-1-1; cool and cover burns
to reduce chance of further injury or infection.</li><li><strong>If you detect heat or smoke</strong>
when entering a damaged building, evacuate immediately.</li><li><strong>If you are a tenant</strong>,
contact the landlord.</li><li><strong>If you have a safe or strong
box</strong>, do not try to open it. It can hold intense heat for several
hours. If the door is opened before the box has cooled, the contents
could burst into flames.</li><li><strong>If you must leave your
home</strong> because a building inspector says the building is unsafe, ask
someone you trust to watch the property during your absence. </li></ul><p><strong>Recovery From A Fire</strong></p><h1>Call your local American Red Cross.
In Limestone County, that phone number is (256) 232-6820. They
can also assist you in taking care of your immediate needs, such as
shelter, food, and clothing.</h1></div></div>
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Fire
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