burntalk: prevention

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Prevention

Elderly: Since older people move at a slower pace, their risk of injury from fire is greater. Fire prevention is the best method to help protect the elderly and keep them safe.

Smoke detectors should always be in working condition. They provide the extra time needed to escape a fire.

Never wear loose, long sleeve clothing while cooking. It can easily catch fire over the stove.

Turn the heat off before reaching over the stove.

Do not lift heavy pots from the stove when they are hot. You could easily drop them and get burned.

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spilling or knocking the pot off the stove.

Do not use towels as pot holders. They easily catch fire when they come close to the heat or flame.

Do not leave cooking unattended. Be sure all burners are off when you are finished cooking.

Place a rubber mat in front of your stove to prevent slipping and falling against the stove.

Do not smoke in bed. Do not smoke in your comfortable chair when you are tired. You could fall asleep smoking and cause a fire.

Children: A child learns from example. Do you always set a good example?

Prevent Scald injuries:

While cooking hot foods on the stove, turn handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot pull the pot down on themselves.

Do not allow cords from appliances, such as coffee pots to dangle from counter tops.

Do not hold infants while handling hot liquids. They may grab for the hot liquid and get burned.

Avoid placing hot liquids on place mats, or using tablecloths with young children. They use these items to pull on and grab items, which can cause hot liquids to be pulled down on the child causing a burn.

Set hot liquids away form the edge of tables and counters. Children can easily grab the cups or containers and get burned.

Establish a safe area in front of the stove. Teach children why it is unsafe and identify this location as a place they can't play, walk or run in the kitchen.

Teach children not to run or walk in the area where hot food is being prepared or set.

Be careful when handling items cooked in the microwave oven. They are hotter than you think. Test food for proper temperature before giving it to a child.

Know how HOT your tap water is. Thousands of adults and children are burned every year because the tap water is too hot. Set your water tank temperature at a safe temperature. Refer to your water heater manual. Turn water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit / 48.9degrees Centigrade. At 160 degrees Fahrenheit it takes one second to get a serious burn.

Place cold water in the bathtub first. Then add the hot water to the appropriate temperature. Always check the temperature of the water before placing children in the bathtub. Teach children to check the water temperature before they get in the bathtub.

Do not leave children unattended in the kitchen or bathroom. Children often get burned when parents leave the room for "just one minute".

Do not encourage toys in the bathtub. Bathtubs are not play areas. If toys are used in the bathtub, an adult should always be present to prevent burn injury.

Prevent Flame injuries: Matches and Lighters

Children must to be taught the proper use of matches and lighters. They are tools not toys.

Treat matches and lighters as tools. They are used to light campfires, candles, and fire in the fireplace and oil lamps.

Keep matches and lighters away from children and out of their reach.

Store matches in a safe location. Place in a dry location away from heat and out of the reach of children.

Older children should only use matches and lighters in the presence of, and with guidance from parents.

Teach children that if they find matches or a lighter on the floor, they should not touch it. Instruct children to get an adult to place the matches or lighter in a safe location.

Do not use lighters as a toy. Avoid using lighters as a means to entertain a child. The child will identify the lighter as a toy.

Prevent Electrical Injuries:

Place a safety cover on unused electrical outlets.

Unplug unused appliances. Children can bite into electrical cords and sustain a serious burn.

Teach older children to stay away from high-tension wires and transformer substations. When flying a kite stay clear of all electrical wires. Transformer substations are not play areas.

If a child sees an electrical wire dangling in the street or along the sidewalk, teach them to tell an adult. DO NOT TOUCH the wire, and stay clear of the area.

Safety Issues:

Instruct your babysitters on what to do in case of fire.

Always leave a responsible person with your children when you go out even for a short time.

Keep matches out of the reach of children. They are a tool not a toy.

Do not leave children alone in a room with a space heater or wood stove.

Do not leave children unattended in the bathroom or kitchen.

Static Electricity:

The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.

In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.

And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car.

You should know that:

- Mobile Phones can ignite fuel or fumes

- Mobile phones that light up when switched on or when they ring release enough energy to provide a spark for ignition

- Mobile phones should not be used in filling stations, or when fueling lawn mowers, boat! , Etc.

- Mobile phones should not be used, or should be turned off, around other materials that generate flammable or explosive fumes or dust, i.e. solvents, chemicals, gases, grain dust, etc.)

To sum it up, here are the Four Rules for Safe Refueling

- Turn off engine

- Don't smoke

- Don't use your cell phone - leave it inside the vehicle or turn it off

- Don't re-enter your vehicle during fueling

Bob Renkes of Petroleum Equipment Institute is working on a campaign to try and make people aware of fires as a result of "static electricity" at gas pumps. His company has researched 150 cases of these fires.

His results were very surprising:

- Out of 150 cases, almost all of them were women.

- Almost all cases involved the person getting back in their vehicle while the nozzle was still pumping gas, when finished and they went back to pull the nozzle out the fire started, as a result of static.

- Most had on rubber-soled shoes.

- Most men never get back in their vehicle until completely finished. This is why they are seldom involved in these types of fires.

- Don't ever use cell phones when pumping gas.

- It is the vapors that come out of the gas that cause the fire, when connected with static charges.

- There were 29 fires where the vehicle was reentered and the nozzle was touched during refueling from a variety of makes and models. Some resulting in extensive damage to the vehicle, to the station, and to the customer.

- Seventeen fires that occurred before, during or immediately after the gas cap was removed and before fueling began.

Mr. Renkes stresses to NEVER get back into your vehicle while filling it with gas.

If you absolutely HAVE to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door TOUCHING THE METAL, before you ever pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle.

Physically Challenged:

Plan ahead for emergencies in your home.

Install smoke detectors. If you need help, contact your local fire department. They can instruct you concerning proper positioning in your home.

Check your smoke detectors and keep them in working condition. They give you the extra time you need in a fire to escape.

Make sure your address is clearly visible on the outside of your house.

Notify the fire department of your special needs.

Always be prepared for an emergency. Have the following items available close to your bed or wheelchair:

- Flashlight

- Whistle (To let people know where you are)

- Telephone

- Glasses

- Keys

Know how to exit your room and house in case of a fire. Know two ways out.

Before you go to bed do a safety check of the area. Are appliances unplugged? Are all smoking items out? Is the stove off? Make a safety check a daily habit. · Sleep with your bedroom doors closed. Doors keep out deadly smoke, heat and gases.

Check the temperature of your bath water. If you have limited sensation to your extremities your ability to determine proper temperature is limited. Use a bath thermometer. Recommended temperature is 90-102 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your clothes catch on fire Stop Drop Roll. If you can not drop to the ground and roll, use a blanket or rug to smother the flames or gently let yourself down to the ground and roll. The flames must be smothered, not fanned.