Practice fire safety

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Social distancing and the threat of serious illness due to this pandemic has closed schools and workplaces. Homes have become classrooms and home offices.The whole family at home can be stressful and children get bored quickly. One way to break up the monotony would be to get the whole family together to go over your home fire plan.

Going over your fire plan can be checking smoke detectors, making sure they are operational and changing batteries if necessary. It would also be a good time to install smoke detectors if you have not already. Assign the kids to test fire detectors and change the batteries when needed. Check all fire extinguishers in your home and review with the family how to use one. Using the P.A.S.S. method can be an easy way to remember how to use an extinguisher.

1. P. Pull pin at the top of the extinguisher.

1. A. Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames and keep it low.

1. S. Squeeze the trigger to discharge the extinguishing agent.

1. S. Sweep the nozzle side to side aiming at the base of the fire.

If the fire becomes too large and it can not be controlled or you do not know how to handle it, exit safely and immediately. Your life and the lives of your family members are more important than possessions.

Another important part of the home fire plan would be the home fire escape plan. Review with all family members the plan to get out of the home safely in case of a fire. You and your family should come up with a plan to get out of the home in 2-minutes or less. Here are some tips to create a home fire safety plan.

1. Everyone in the home should know 2 different ways to get out of every room and the home.

1. Stay low when exiting because smoke is dangerous.

1. Have a meeting place established outside the home and out of harms way. Call 911 as soon as possible without risking your safety.

1. Do not go back in the home for people, pets or belongings.

1. You may have less than two minutes to get out of your home once a fire begins.

1. Practice your escape plan multiple times throughout the year.

Having these plans in place will help keep you and your family safe.If you do have a fire event reach out to us here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle. We have the necessary training and experience to get your home back to “Like it never even happened.”