|
 Smoke
Detectors
On April 6th of every year,
you should change your clock and check the batteries
in your smoke detectors.
Batteries weaken with time and
should be replaced regularly. When you change
your clocks, change your smoke detector batteries.
Remember to also test your smoke
detector’s monthly to ensure that the unit is
working. Testing your smoke detector is usually
accomplished by pressing the “test” button on
the face of the smoke detector. If your smoke
detector does not sound, check the battery.
If it still will not sound after a new battery
is installed, replace the entire unit with a
new smoke detector.
Smoke detectors should generally
be replaced every ten years. You may also clean
your smoke detector yearly by vacuuming out
the dust. As a reminder; never paint any part
of a smoke detector.
Smoke Detectors should be installed
on every level of the home, outside sleeping
areas, and inside bedrooms.
 A
smoke alarm should be installed and maintained
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
When installing a smoke alarm, many factors
influence where you will place it, including
how many are to be installed. Consider placing
alarms along your escape path to assist in egress
in limited visibility conditions. In general
you should place alarms in the center of a ceiling
or, if you place them on a wall, they should
be 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
Additional information may be
requested from the Rochester Fire Department’s
Community Relations
and Education Unit. We have various
pamphlets available, including ones on smoke
detectors for your request.
Additional reference on smoke
detectors may be found at the following websites:
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firewww.html
http://www.statefarm.com/homesafety.htm
http://www.firstalert.com
http://www.energizer.com/learning/FireSafety.asp
[top]
 Fire
Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers used properly
can be effective against small fires. There are
certain conditions that you must follow before
attempting to use an extinguisher;
1) First, know how
to use the fire extinguisher before an emergency.
There is no time to try to read the instructions
on its use during a fire.
2) Alert other occupants
that there is a fire so they may exit, and for
someone to call 911 to alert the fire department.
Depending on your occupancy, alerting others
may be done by pulling a local alarm box if
you have this type of alarm system.
3) Make sure you have the right
fire extinguisher for the class of fire, and
that you have an exit to your back in which
to escape. DON’T put a fire between you and
an exit in which to escape.
4) Use the “PASS” word as a
reminder for using the fire extinguisher:
| P |
pull
the pin out (this will break the plastic
seal used to hold the pin in) |
| A |
aim
at the base of the fire with the nozzle,
or hose |
| S |
squeeze
the levers together to discharge the extinguisher
|
| S |
sweep
the fire from side to side while aiming
at the base of the fire |
The classes of fires:
- Class A: Ordinary combustibles
such as wood, cloth, and paper
- Class B: Flammable liquids
such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, and oil-based
paint
- Class C: Energized electrical
equipment such as a TV, computer, stereo,
etc.
- Class D: Combustible metals
such as magnesium
Basic types of fire extinguishers:
- ABC Dry Chemical: Multipurpose
type, useful for class A, B, and C fires
- Carbon Dioxide: Useful on
class B and class C fires
- Water: Used only on class
A fires
ABC Dry Chemical fire extinguishers
are the best type to purchase for the home.
If you have a fire, get out
and stay out, and call 911 from a neighbors
house.
To receive additional fire safety
information related to other topics. Contact
the Fire Department’s Community Relations and
Educational Unit at 428-3672. We have various
pamphlets available, including ones on fire
extinguishers and firefighters to answer questions.
[top]
 FIRE
PLAY: When
a Child’s Curiosity Can Kill!
The Fire Related Youth services
or (FRY) of the Rochester Fire Department was
developed to deal with a very serious concern;
fires involving youths. At least 40% of all
set fires involve youngsters, and 65% of those
are caused by children between 5 & 9 years
old experimenting with matches & lighters.
The real problem is that curiosity
about fire is a very normal part of growing
up, especially for boys between 5 & 9. Normal,
though does not mean “okay”. Most fires caused
by children occur at home, where there is most
danger to lives & property, even when adults
are on hand. Only auto accidents injure more
kids than fires.
The Rochester’s Fire Departments
Fire Related Youth services can HELP! Trained
firefighter investigators experienced with youngsters,
and fire educational teaching skills welcome
the chance to talk to any child, and/or family
in need. FRY’s goal is to educate through intervention,
and NOT punish. FRY has a 94% success rate with
first time fire offenders. FRY’s education intervention
is not just an individual contact, but an involvement
with the entire family of those affected.
Discuss fire safety in your
home with your family. Ensure your home has
a working smoke detector to help protect you
against the threat of fire. Teach your family
the dangers of fire, and how to escape your
home if fire should occur. Also, KEEP MATCHES
& LIGHTERS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!
Set a good example by taking special care when
using them. Children learn best by imitating
the adults around them.
If you need any further information,
or help with this topic, please call The Fire
Related Youth services department at 428-7103.
To receive additional fire safety information
related to other topics. Contact the Fire Department’s
Community Relations and Educational Unit at
428-3672. We have various pamphlets available,
and firefighters to answer your questions.
[top]
 Kitchens
Kitchens can be a dangerous
area in the home and account for a high number
of fires and injuries.
The reason most cooking fires
happen is that someone leaves the kitchen when
there is something cooking on the stove. Watch
the stove, so you’ll be able to respond quickly
if food bubbles up or if something goes wrong.
It is important to pay attention to the cooking
area and remove hazards, such as knick-knacks
or other combustibles that are placed too close
to the burners. Prevent kitchen fires by following
a few basic fire safety tips: Be alert while
using kitchen appliances, Don’t leave cooking
unattended, Keep kitchen appliances clean, and
keep flammable objects clear of the stove.
Extinguishing Grease Fires:
Built up grease catches fire
easily. Wipe appliance surfaces after spills
and clean stove surfaces, ovens and appliances
regularly. An appropriate sized lid should
be kept near the stove to cover and smother
any grease fire contained in a pan. Baking
soda can also be used. Never use water to
extinguish a grease fire.
Please feel free to contact
the Rochester Fire Department’s Community Relations
and Education Unit with any fire related questions
at (716)428-3672.
[top]
911
and it's use
 911
is the emergency number to call in the Rochester
area. 911 is for any emergency, and can be used
to receive help from either the fire department,
police department, or ambulance.
Children should be taught the emergency number
911, and when to use it.
When teaching
children about 911, they should be made aware
of it’s importance. 911 is for emergencies only,
and not for prank calls. Prank calls to 911
unduly tax the 911 system, and may cause a delay
to someone who may really need help. A common
mistake by Rochester area children with 911
is confusing it with the police non-emergency
number 311. 311 is not an emergency number,
and is used for non-emergency police service.
Another common mistake small children make with
911 is believing that the "11" part
of 911 is actually an eleven. Children should
understand that a "1" must be pressed
twice.
When dialing
911, the caller should be ready with some important
information to relay to the emergency operator.
This should include the callers name, address,
phone number, and the nature of the emergency.
Children should be reminded that if they have
a fire in their home, they should get out and
call 911 from a neighbor’s house or a nearby
pay phone. Remember, 911 calls made on a pay
phone are free.
To receive additional
fire safety information related to other topics.
Contact the Fire Department’s Community Relations
and Educational Unit at 428-3672.
If you have a fire, get out
and stay out, and call 911 from a neighbors
house.
[top]
Carbon
Monoxide Detector
What is Carbon
Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless,
odorless, tasteless and toxic gas. It is produced
as a by- product of combustion. (Combustion
refers to a heat producing, chemical reaction
between some substance and oxygen) Carbon monoxide
is abbreviated as "CO".
What produces Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is produced
by gas or oil home appliances and also fireplaces,
wood burning stoves, and automobiles; through
the exhaust.
Why is Carbon Monoxide dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is dangerous
because it displaces oxygen in the body needed
for life. If appliances are improperly vented,
Carbon monoxide levels could build up and poison
occupants.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide
poisoning, which are similar to the flu, are
headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Protect yourself and your family
from the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning
by:
1) Install a CO detector with
an audible alarm near sleeping areas
2) Maintain and inspect gas
fired home appliances for proper venting
3) Do NOT start an automobile
in a closed attached garage
To receive
additional fire safety information related to
other topics, contact the Fire Department’s
Community Relations and Educational Unit at
428-3672.
[top]
House
Numbering and its importance
In the event of an emergency,
are your home or business address numbers visible
to emergency responders? Help the Rochester
Fire & Police Department, along with the
ambulance find your address quickly. By ensuring
your home or business have its numbers posted,
and that they are clearly visible from the street.
As a reference, Rochester City
Code Chapter 61 outlines specific requirements
for house numbering in the City of Rochester.
Follow these general hints to help ensure your
numbers are visible:
1) Use numbers at least 4
inches high
2) Use numbers that contrast
the color of your home or business
3) Ensure that trees or shrubs
do not block the view of your numbers; trim
back as necessary
4) Provide lighting to numbers
during evening hours to ensure visibility
5) Check to see if your numbers
are indeed visible, by viewing them from the
middle of your street
[top]
Exit
Drills In The Home (EDITH)
To escape a house on fire; first
maintain working smoke detectors in your home,
and second; have a plan in which to escape your
home in case of fire. EDITH is very important
along with having working smoke detectors. Once
a smoke detector goes off in your home, members
of your household along with yourself should
react, by using your preplanned escape route
to exit safely from a fire. Use the following
steps to develop your escape plan.
1) Plan your escape
2) Draw a simple floor plan
of your home, showing two ways out of each
room
3) Ensure all household members
understand the escape routes from the plan
(Make sure routes are clear,
and that the doors and windows on the route
can be opened properly. Crawl while using
your escape route, it is safer because heat
and smoke rise in a fire)
4)Practice your escape plan
at least twice a year with your household
members and test your smoke detectors monthly
while changing the batteries twice a year
(A tip to remember is: change your
clock, change your batteries)
5)Agree on a meeting
place outside where everyone can meet after
exiting the home (This will allow for a head
count and allow the arriving fire fighters
to gain information about possible missing
members, and the fire inside)
Remember; People who live in an apartment building
should use the stairways and NOT the
elevator to escape to the outside. Some high-rise
buildings may use a "defend in place"
plan dependant on the fire location. Know your
escape plan before a fire happens.
Additional information on EDITH, with blank
floor plan grids may be found at:
http://www.nfpa.org/Education/fpwhome/fpwhome.asp
http://www.dos.state.ny.us/kidsroom/firesafe/lessons.html
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/kids/ep.htm
[top]
|
