Preventing Fires in the Bedroom
Bedrooms are a common area for fires to originate. Almost 1,000 lives are lost in fires initiated in bedrooms. Many of these fires are caused by misuse or defective maintenance of appliances, overcharging of extension cords or the use of portable heating devices near flammable materials. Many other fires in bedrooms are caused by children playing with matches and lighters, careless smoking of the adults, and arson.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the Sleep Product Safety Council (SPSC) want to inform consumers about these simple measures you can take to avoid losing lives and property in fires caused by electrical failures.
CHIDREN AND FIRE: A BAD PAIRING
Children are one of the groups with more death risk in residential fires. At home, children usually play with fire – lighters, matches and other combustion materials – in bedrooms, closets, and under the beds. These are “secret” places whit many things that might burn easily.
• Children of all ages cause more than 100,000 fires per year. More than 30% of fires that kill children are caused by children playing with fire.
• Every year more than 800 nine year old children and younger perish in fires at their homes.
• Storing matches and lighters in locked drawers and away from children. Check under the beds and closets in search of burnt matches, evidence that your child might have been playing with matches.
• Teach your child that fire is a tool, not a toy.
ELECTRICAL DEVICES NEED SPECIAL MAINTENANCE
The bedroom is the most common place for electrical fires in a home. Fires by electrical causes are a special concern during the winter months when more activities are performed inside the house and the use of illumination, heating and use of devices increases.
• Not jamming electrical cables against walls that might become heated.
• Taking special precautions when using portable heating devices. Moving items away from the bed, clothes, curtains and flammable products to a distance of least three feet from heaters.
• Using only electric blankets and heaters that have been approved by a lab. Checking to make sure that wires are not worn.
PREPARATIONS FOR A SAFE SLEEP
• Never smoke in bed.
• Changing mattresses made before the Federal Mattress Flammability Standard in 1973. Mattresses made since then are required to abide to this standard by law for safety.
Finally, having operable smoke alarms dramatically increases chances of fire survival. Install at least one smoke detector at each level of the house and in hallways leading to the bedrooms. And remember to frequently practice a plan to escape the house with the entire family.
Safety Measures to Prevent Fires during Earthquakes
Every year, several types of natural disasters that may have devastating effects for you and your home are produced in the United States.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is a part of the United States Fire Administration (USFA), recommends enforcing the following measures for your protections, your family’s and your home’s to prevent a possible fire during an earthquake or after it. You may considerably reduce the probabilities of becoming a fire victim by identifying potential dangers and following safety recommendations described.
FIRE RISKS DURING AND AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
• Domestic appliances, furniture and other household items may shift position, fall and spill.
• Gas piping exhausts, damaged or leaking propane containers and leaking vehicle fuel deposits might burst or catch fire.
• Water puddles or even appliances may conduct electricity.
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
• Check for spilt flammable liquids such as gasoline, lighter fluid and paint thinners. Clean the spilling carefully and put the containers in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep flammable liquids away from heat sources.
ELECTRICITY
• If you can reach the fuse box or main break safely, shut down the power.
• Check if any objects have become unattached or loose during the earthquake. Domestic appliances or connections may create fire hazards. Never assume that cables that are loose on the floor are not conductive. This includes television cords.
• Replace extension cords or torn and worn wires, loose plugs and contacts.
• Bare wires and connections are a vital safety hazard and may also cause fires.
• Appliances issuing smoke or sparks must be replaced or repaired.
• Call an electrician to check your house for damage.
GAS
• Listen and smell to detect possible leaks in gas connections. If you think there is a gas leak, abandon the house immediately and leave the doors open. .
• Never light a match. Any flame, large or small could cause an explosion.
• Before reopening the gas valve, have a professional check the entire system.
GENERATORS
• When using generators, follow manufacturing instructions.
• Do not use generators or any other fueled machine in enclosed places. Carbon dioxide emanations are odorless and pollutants.Use wires of the appropriate size and type to carry electrical charges. Overcharged wires might get heated and cause fires.
• Never run cables under the carpets where heat can build up and where they cannot be monitored for damage.
• Never plug generators to other electricity sources such as power lines. Electrical reverse flow or “feedback” could electrocute anyone who could unknowingly be working for the power company elsewhere. HEATING
• Kerosene heaters may be illegal in your community and should only be used under authority approval
• Do not use the kitchen to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard it can also be a source of toxic emanations.
• Alternative heaters need space. Keep flammable substances at least a meter away.
• Make sure that the alternative heaters have a “collapse switch”; these devices are designed to automatically shut down the heater in case it collapses.
• Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow the instructions.
• Never refill a heater while it is operating or hot.
• Fill the heaters only in outdoors.
• Make sure that wood stoves are installed appropriately, at least a meter away from flammable materials. Ensure that the supports are firm and ventilation is appropriate.
• Place a glass or metal screen in front of the chimney to avoid that carpets, furniture or other objects catch fire with a spark.
AND REMEMBER…
• Beware when using candles. Keep the flame away from flammable objects and away from the reach of children.
• Some smoke detecting alarms may depend of the electrical service in your home and as a result they may stop working if the power went out. Check if smoke detectors have a backup battery and replace it at least once a year.
• One smoke detector should be installed at each level of your house.
• It will be necessary to check the smoke detectors once a month. All batteries should be replaced at least once a year.
• If there is a water main near your house, keep it free of garbage and easily accessible for the fire department.
