Learning about Fire during the Holiday season

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can happen to anyone at anytime, but the Holiday season is peak season!

Winter is quickly approaching as well as the holiday season. This time of year automatically raises the chances of fire in our homes. Many of us in the Northeast have woodstoves that heat our homes, upping the risk of fire and puffback.

The holiday season brings with it another element of fire concern, We need to concern ourselves with kitchen safety! We do a lot of cooking and baking during the holiday season.

According to the NFPA, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve.

Now that we know how prevalent fires are around the holiday season, Let's Learn about FIRE!

Here are some Facts and Tips about Fire:

Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.

Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.

Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.

Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

Before a Fire Occurs

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.

A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.

Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.

Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.

Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

Test batteries monthly.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.

Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake.

During a Fire

Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.

Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.

If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.

If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.

If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.

If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.

Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away by calling 9-1-1 or the fire department.

After a Fire

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.

Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.

The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.

If you are insured, contact your insurance company.

Try to locate valuable documents and records.

You will need a Fire Damage and Restoration team. Contact SERVPRO of Lebanon/Hanover/Littleton at 603-298-6942 24 hours a day.