| Making every member of the family feel safe | | | | placement of these items. For the alarms and |
| indoors is perhaps one of the most pressuring | | | | detectors, check if the batteries are in good |
| tasks for any homeowner. One has to be very | | | | working condition. Change them at least twice a |
| cautious about being watchful of the hazards that | | | | year. |
| could possibly happen any time. And one way to | | | | There are four main types of fire extinguishers |
| make sure your family has another layer of | | | | for home use. These are water, aqueous film |
| protection, ensuring fire safety at home is crucial. | | | | forming foam, dry powder or ABC powder and |
| Firstly, fire prevention is a vital measure for home | | | | carbon dioxide. But since some households are |
| fire safety. There are various methods and | | | | already exploring professional kitchen equipment |
| devices that can help you implementing such | | | | like deep fryers, there are now wet chemical fire |
| safety. | | | | extinguishers suitable for domestic use. Each type |
| Awareness | | | | has specific usage depending on the cause of fire: |
| The first step to safeguarding every family | | | | 1. Water – Type A (for wood, paper, textiles |
| member is making them prepared for such | | | | and fabric) |
| unfortunate event. Make time to educate one | | | | 2. AFF Foam – Types A and B (oils, diesel, |
| another about what to do in case of such | | | | petroleum) |
| emergency. Always remind, especially the kids, of | | | | 3. Carbon dioxide – Types B and for electrical |
| the numbers to call, exit plans and things to do. | | | | equipment |
| Put the numbers of the fire house, hospital, police | | | | 4. Dry powder – Types A, B, C (butane, |
| and relatives on speed dial. Also, jot down and | | | | methane, propane) and electrical equipment |
| post these in an accessible area like the kitchen | | | | 5. Wet chemical – Types A and F (cooking |
| and living room. Learn about first-aid measures like | | | | oils, fats) |
| how to treat minor burns and wounds. And put | | | | Safeguard your kitchen |
| together an emergency kit containing band aids, | | | | A huge percentage of fires start in the kitchen. |
| bandages and ointments. | | | | Thus, responsible usage of this area is important |
| You can also organize your own version of a fire | | | | to fire safety. Do not leave open fire unattended |
| drill once a month. Set off a mock alarm and | | | | even for a few minutes. Avoid wearing clothes |
| proceed with the drill. Pretend-use the fire | | | | with long sleeves when cooking as such material |
| extinguisher, thick blanket or baking soda. Note | | | | can easily catch fire. Make sure to wear |
| that everyone should already be adept in using | | | | protective gear such as potholders, oven mitts |
| such item. Also prepare for the uncontrollable fire | | | | and place dishcloth or counter towels nearby. |
| incident. In this case, immediately ‘call’ for | | | | However, do not place them very near the hot |
| help. There should be one phone for areas such | | | | surfaces. If a small fire occurs, immediately |
| as the kitchen, living room and the hall. Orient | | | | remove food from the heat and/or unplug any |
| everyone as to which passage is safest to go. | | | | appliance. |
| Map out every possible route. Say, the fire is in | | | | Monitoring electrical wiring, devices and appliances |
| the kitchen, where is the next safe area they can | | | | Frequently check if there are any exposed wires. |
| exit through? Tell them not to try to take | | | | In line with this, make sure that you do not have |
| anything with them as this might only cause them | | | | rodents at home as these can chew up wires. |
| to be trapped. Meanwhile, a way to keep some | | | | Refrain from using octopus extension cords. Plug |
| of your important items safe like birth certificates, | | | | in only one or two appliances per socket. And |
| land title and other legal documents is to store | | | | always turn off all electrical devices once no one |
| them in another place. You can also make several | | | | is present at home. Do not charge devices |
| copies of these so as to have back-up | | | | unsupervised. Items like cellular phones and digital |
| documents. Throughout the activity, remember to | | | | cameras can easily overheat which will then cause |
| foster the presence of a clear mind. This will | | | | a fire. |
| make things more systematized. | | | | Teaching and preparing your family on how to be |
| Installing devices | | | | safe can never be too early. With these simple |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire | | | | preventive measures, you are minimizing the risks |
| alarms and extinguishers should be installed on all | | | | of jeopardizing the safety of your family. Being |
| floors of your home. Note about local regulations | | | | victimized and traumatized by a fire is at least a |
| and manufacturer’s directions for proper | | | | notch down further from happening. |