Fire Safety

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• Remember the acronym RACE to use in case of a fire.

• Remember the acronym PASS when using a fire extinguisher.

• Differentiate between the different classes of fire.

Course Objectives, cont.

• Understand when and how to activate the services of the fire department.

• Keep areas in the home and workplace free of hazards.

• Locate fire alarms and exits in non-familiar locations.

• Evacuate homes and buildings safely.

Module One

Motivation to Teach Fire Safety

As you learn about fire safety, teach what you learn to others--particularly

young children!

Fire in the United States

• How many fire related deaths do you think we have in the U.S. annually?

• Which nation do you think is the highest in fire deaths and incidents among the industrialized nations of the world?

Fire in the United States

• 4,000 - 6,000 fire related deaths annually

• U.S. is still the highest in fire deaths and incidents among the industrialized nations of the world

• What do you think is the leading cause of fires in Georgia?

• What do you think is the leading cause fire deaths in the Southeast and Georgia?

# 1 Cause of Fire in Georgia

• Kitchen Fires—leading cause of fires

• Alternative heating is the primary cause of fire deaths in the Southeast and Georgia

80% of fire deaths occur

in homes without

operational fire detectors.

Do you have at least one detector on every level of your home? Assignment tonight:

check it out!

Check the batteries in your smoke

detectors twice a year.

Suggestion: when you change the

clocks in the spring and fall, change your batteries!

Module Two

Fire Chemistry

Fire Triangle

Fuel Heat

Oxygen

Classes of Fires

• A: ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, plastics, cloth

• B: flammable liquids, greases, and gases

• C: energized electrical equipment

• D: metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, etc.

Sources of Heat Energy

Mechanical

Chemical

ElectricalSolar

Methods of Heat Transfer

• Conduction: heat is transferred directly from one object to another

• Convection: movement of a liquid or gas transfers the heat

• Radiation: a form of heat travelling across a space or through materials as electromagnetic waves

Module Three

Safety Features

Smoke Detectors and Alarms

• Offer the earliest warning of fire

• A working smoke alarm doubles a person’s chance of surviving and escaping a fire

Smoke Detectors and Alarms

• Test smoke alarms monthly (push the little button and you should hear a chirp—check it out tonight!)

• And did I mention? Change the batteries twice a year, when the clock changes for daylight savings!

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Alert occupants to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

• They do not detect smoke and so should not be used instead of smoke detectors.

• Does your home have both?

Sprinkler Systems

• Activated by heat and contain fire where sprinkler heads are located.

• Must still evacuate building if smoke alarm alerts, even if sprinkler system does not activate—fire could be in walls, ceiling, or attic.

Fire Extinguishers

• Place them in a readily accessible location.

• Don’t store them next to the stove….duh!

Fire Extinguishers: PASS

• PULL the locking pin from the handle

• AIM the nozzle at the base of the flames

• SQUEEZE the handle • SWEEP the extinguisher from

side to side

Module Four

Building Evacuation

RACE• Rescue anyone in immediate danger.

• Activate the alarm.

• Confine the fire (Close windows and doors if safe to do so. Shut off electrical equipment and oxygen if your safety is not endangered).

• Extinguish the fire if the fire is small and contained.

Your safety comes FIRST!

• Do NOT risk your life to put out a fire. That’s what the FIRE DEPARTMENT is for!

• Evacuate if you are even a little bit uncertain!

• Stuff can be replaced. You can’t.

Fire Escape Plan

• Must have a clear, unobstructed means of exiting the building to a safe meeting place outside the facility.

• Assist those who need help to exit the building.

Fire Escape Plan

• Need to have two ways out in case one is blocked by fire or structural damage.

• If exiting into a fenced area, there must be a means of exit from the fence.

Home Escape Plan

• Know two ways out of every room.

• Sleep with bedroom doors closed.

• Have smoke alarms and fire escape ladders.

• Set a meeting place away for all family members to gather.

What are your exits?

• Picture the room where you sleep.

• Where are your two exits?

• Could you get out in the pitch black?

• Remember, you can’t see in a fire!

Family Meeting Place

• Your family should have a “meeting place” outside, away from the house to meet in case of evacuation.

• A good place might be the mailbox or a neighbor’s front porch--assuming you know the neighbor!

• WHY???

Family Meeting Place

• Having a family meeting place lets everyone know that the whole family has made it outside safely.

• Otherwise, someone might go back in looking for a family member who is already safely in the back yard!

• A meeting place saves lives!

Family Meeting Place

• Remember to tell family overnight guests where the meeting place is.

• Arrange a meeting place when you’re away on vacation, as well.

Family/Home Evacuation Drills• Vary the time of the drills.

• Hold announced and unannounced drills.

• When you stay in a hotel, locate the fire alarms and exits when you check into your room. Count the number of doors between your hotel room door and the stairwell door.

Fun Fact!• When staying a hotel, you might want to

request a room below the ninth floor….• Why????

The aerial ladder on the fire truck won’t reach above the ninth floor!

Most fatal fires occur between 8 pm - 8 am.

This is when people are sleeping.

During what time of day do you think most fatal fires

occur, and why?

When in a situation with many people, ONE person should be designated as the

liaison to communicate with emergency responders

on the scene. This will help reduce conflicting

information.

Building Evacuation

Now it’s time to practice!

Module Five

Burn Prevention and Treatment

♥Burns are the most traumatic injury the body can sustain.

♥Infection and shock are the two major concerns with burn injuries.

Burns

♥12,000 people die each year in the U.S. from burn injuries.

♥1,100 are children.♥What do you think are the #1

cause of burns to children?

Burns

♥Scalds are the #1 cause of burns to children.

♥Put pots on the back burner and turn handles inward.

♥Don’t let children reach hot liquids or be in bathroom unattended!

Burns

♥Thermal: hot liquid or surface touches skin. Ex: scalds.

♥Chemical: a chemical substance touches skin. Ex: acid or bleach.

♥Electrical: electricity comes in contact with skin.

Types of Burns

♥Keep electrical cords out of reach and outlets covered.

♥Keep matches and lighters away from children and teach them that these are tools for adults only.

Preventing Burns

Call 911 immediately if the burn:

♥is due to chemicals or electricity.

♥covers a significant area of the body.

♥is to the face.

Treating 1st and 2nd Degree Burns

First Degree

Second Degree

Third Degree

♥Always call 911 for any 3° burn!

♥Cool with sterile water and cover with dry, sterile dressings.

♥Treat for shock by having the victim lie down with the feet elevated.

Treating 3° burns:

♥Don’t use mayonnaise, butter, or ice!

♥Don’t put it in your mouth!♥Never pop blisters--infection is a

major concern!♥Don’t use burn gel on 3° burns!

What NOT to do for burns:

♥Don’t remove clothing or jewelry that is stuck to the

burned area!♥Don’t touch the burn with

anything other than a clean covering!

What NOT to do for burns:

Module Six

Youthful Fire Setting

Child Fire Play

• Typically performed by children 18 months old – 6 years old who do not understand the consequence of their actions.

• Children are setting more than 100,000 fires each year in the United States.

Child Fire Play

• Child fire play is the leading cause of death in residential fires for preschool age children.

• Curiosity is the motivating factor.

Juvenile Fire Setting

• Typically children ages 7 – 18.

• Fire setting in this category accounts for 40% of all fires started by children and 50% of arson arrests.

Warning Signs• Poor relationships with other

children.

• Frequent negative behaviors such as impulsiveness, stealing, showing off….

Warning Signs

• Disruptive parental or home situations.

• Low self esteem & limited participation in activities.

Module Seven

Teaching Fire Safety to Children

Teaching Fire Safety to Children

• Adjust an adult vocabulary to meet the level of the preschool child.

• Use simple and basic language.

• Keep messages simple and brief, such as “Stop, Drop, and Roll!”

What every child should learn:

• Dial 911 in an emergency only.

• Home address and phone number.

• Stay on the line with 911 dispatcher until help arrives.

Teaching 911 skills:

• Teach 9-1-1, not “nine-eleven”. Children may look for the eleven button on the phone.

• Children ages 3-5 tend to dial 9-9-1 -- have them practice on a play phone.