Each year in the United States, more than 2,500 people are killed and about 12,000 are injured in fires in their homes. Direct property damage caused by house fires is estimated at more than $7.3 billion annually. Like any other man-made disaster, house fires are preventable.
To protect yourself and your family, you need to understand the basic properties of fire. Since the fire spreads very quickly, there is absolutely no time to pack your bags or make a phone call. In less than two minutes, a small fire can become deadly; in about five minutes, an entire house can be on fire.
Smoke and heat from fire can be more dangerous than flames. Inhaling extremely hot air can carbonate the lungs, while toxic gases can cause drowsiness and disorientation. Instead of waking up to a fire, you can fall into a deep sleep. Contrary to popular belief, asphyxia is the leading cause of death in fires, with a ratio of 3 to 1.
Most house fires occur in the kitchen during cooking. These fires are also a major cause of injury. Night fires are mainly caused by inadequate fire fighting, lack of precautions around fireplaces and stoves stored near combustible materials and furniture. These fires are considered more dangerous than others because they can go out long before they are discovered.
The house fire is spreading fast!
In less than thirty seconds, a small flame can become uncontrollable and turn into a large fire. In less than five minutes, the house fills with thick black smoke or is completely on fire. Most deadly fires occur when people are asleep. If you are awakened by a fire, don’t waste time gathering your belongings because the fire spreads quickly and the smoke is too thick. You barely have time to escape.
Heat
The heat of a fire is more dangerous than flames. With ambient temperatures as high as 100 degrees on the ground and 600 degrees at eye level, the heat alone can be deadly. Hot air, if inhaled, can pierce your lungs and kill you in seconds. Heat can also melt your clothes and skin.
Smoking
The fire is not light, it is black. The fire begins to glow, but soon produces black smoke and total darkness. When you wake up after a fire, you may find yourself blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the house you’ve lived in for years.
Flames don’t kill as many people as toxic gases and smoke. With oxygen, fire produces toxic gases and deadly smoke. Inhalation of small amounts of these gases can cause disorientation, shortness of breath and drowsiness. The colorless fumes can put you into a deep sleep before the flames reach you.
Take steps to protect your family from a house fire.
Preparation
You can only prepare yourself and your family if you know the properties of fire. In the event of a fire, you need to know that every second counts, so you and your family need to be prepared. Develop a fire escape plan and make sure everyone in your family knows about it. You should keep some of the necessary survival gear at home. Keep an extra door as an emergency exit and make sure it is not blocked at any time. Install a fire alarm system and check it regularly. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
Smoke detector
A properly installed smoke detector is the only thing that can alert you and your family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A working smoke detector significantly increases the chances of surviving a fire.
Install a smoke detector with photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors. Test batteries monthly to ensure they are in good condition. Make sure smoke alarms are installed on all levels of your home, especially in the basement. Smoke alarms should be present in rooms both inside and outside, which is particularly recommended by the U.S. Fire Administration.
Furthermore, disabling the fire alarm can be a fatal error. Open a door or window or wave a towel against the smoke detector to clear the air.
What to do in case of fire?
If, despite all precautions, a fire breaks out in your home, follow these tips to survive:
- Crawl under the smoke as you make your way to the exit. Toxic gases and smoke accumulate towards the ceiling, allowing you to crawl to the exit.
- Once the smoke alarm goes off, all you can think about is escaping. Don’t stop packing.
- If you see smoke blocking your exit, find another exit.
- Touch the door and handle before opening the doors; if they are hot, don’t bother opening them, find another exit.
- Slowly open the door to see if there is heavy smoke or fire.
- Stop, drop and roll as your clothes catch fire. Make sure you cover your face with your hands and keep rolling on your back until the fire goes out.
How to escape from a house fire
In order to survive in the event of a fire, you need to be aware of the obstacles that can impede your escape route. For example, for example… For example, window glazing or grilles are usually equipped with fire protection so that they can be easily opened from the inside.
Provide fire escapes if your home has multiple floors. Ensure that anti-theft devices that block access from the outside can be easily opened from the inside. The safety of your family members is just as important as your own, so make sure you teach them all the safety precautions and hold a drill at least once a year so they know how to escape a deadly fire.
About the Author: James Smith is a survivor who enjoys writing about survival skills and techniques. He has a wealth of knowledge about various survival kits and other survival tools that he enjoys sharing with others through blogging. Follow him on Twitter @jamessmith1609.
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