HEALTH & SAFETY: FIRE ~ Winnies

Fires have done a great deal of damage to very expensive possessions in our workplaces and homes. Many times this happens because the much less expensive preventive measures that should have been put in place were neglected. This week, we try to give highlights on how to prevent fires and how to manage a fire situation whether as a visitor or a resident, in an office or at home. Stay alive, you are cherished.

PREVENTING AND MANAGING FIRES

In order to protect yourself, it is important to understand the basic characteristics of fire.

• Fire is FAST. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

• Fire is DARK. Fire produces 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.

• Fire is HOT. Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs.

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

BEFORE A FIRE

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, your office and your property in the event of a fire:

SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

§ Install smoke alarms. Properly working smoke alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.

§ Place smoke alarms on every level of your residence, Including the basement.

§ Install a working carbon monoxide detector in the common area of the bedrooms.

§ Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.

§ Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.

COOKING SAFETY

• Never leave cooking unattended.

• Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook.

• Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames

ESCAPING THE FIRE

· Have an escape plan. Review escape routes with your family.

· Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut.

· In high-rise, never lock fire exits or doorways, halls or stairways.

· Never prop stairway or other fire doors open.

MATCHES/LIGHTERS AND SMOKING

· Keep matches/lighters away from children.

· Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.

ELECTRICAL WIRING

Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring. Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high traffic areas. Do not overload extension cords or Outlets.

DURING A FIRE

If your clothes catch fire, you should:

• Stop, drop, and roll until the fire is extinguished.

DO NOT PANIC

• Do not assume someone else already called the fire Service get out of the house then call the Fire Service using the attached chat.

ESCAPE A FIRE

Check closed doors with the back of your hand to feel for heat before you open them.

· If the door is hot do not open it. Find a second way out, such as a window. If you cannot escape through a window, hang a white sheet outside the window to alert firefighters to your presence.

· Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, bedding or tape and cover vents to keep smoke out.

· If there is a phone in the room where you are trapped, call the fire Service again and tell them exactly where you are.

· If the door is cold slowly open it and ensure that fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked, shut the door and use another escape route.

· If clear, leave immediately and close the door behind you. Be Prepared to crawl.

AFTER A FIRE

· Once you are out of the building, STAY OUT! Do not go back inside for any reason.

· If you are with a burn victim or are a burn victim yourself call the emergency number below, cool and cover your burns until emergency help arrives.

· If you are a tenant contact the landlord.

· Tell the fire Service if you know of anyone trapped in the building.

· Only enter when the fire Service tells you it is safe to do so.

· If you are a tenant contact the landlord.

· Tell the fire Service if you know of anyone trapped in the building.

· Only enter when the fire Service tells you it is safe to do so.

Julius Abanshebe Akpong TMIOSH, MISPON, is a Member of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria has published books like, Simplified Chemistry for Senior Secondary 1, The path to Greatness, Reaching the Apex, Atmospheric heavy metals deposition and dispersion in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State. He is the publisher of the SuperPsychic Achiever, several HSE articles and bulletins for corporate bodies, international journals and newspapers like Business Insight and is yet to publish his first HSE book; HAZID companion.