Fire Safety in your Home by Steve Gladstone
If there was a fire in your home, or the home your are in right now…would you be able to locate the nearest fire extinguisher? Would you know how to operate it? And just as importantly…. if you found it, would it work?
Did you know that many homes have extinguishers that are older than 12 years old, and as a result the charge pressure may have dropped, the gauges may be stuck, and when you really need them, they probably won’t discharge to help fight the fire.
Older fire extinguishers should be replaced. In many cases it costs more to re-charge a unit than to simply buy a new one. New resedential units cost between $15-$65 and they often come with a wall mounting bracket.
So let’s talk about the basics…
Fire extinguishers should be minimally located in areas of greatest risk. These could be in your kitchen, in a family room where there is a fireplace, in a hobby area or workshop, in your garage, near your heating system and in your car. Your specific needs and the type of extinguisher to buy have to do with the potential fire risk. For most homes it’s more likely that the fire will be paper, fabric or wood… so an ABC type unit is most desirable. These discharge a dry powder that smothers the fire and is not a conductor of electricity. Special fire extinguishers should be used for grease and combustible fuel fires. For electrical fires there are other more effective units.
For most of us a five pound unit will be more than enough firepower for a small home accident.
Remember befor you try to put out a fire, call 911 first. Make sure help is responding and on the way. Secondly, get others out of the building. If the fire is small and the conditions are still appropriate to try to fight the fire, follow the following acronym PASS
P- Pull the pin. Most extinguishers have a pin that prevents the accidental discharge of the unit. Once the pin is pulled you can squeeze the handle.
A- Aim Make sure the nozzle is facing the fire and if there is a hose hold it in the direction of the base of the fire. Most fires should be fought by aiming the stream of the discharge at the base of the flames.
S- Squeeze. Squeeze the trigger or handle, once the pin is pulled this should be easy to do.
S- Sweep from Side to Side. Aim the powder discharge at the fire. Sweep side to side at the base of the flames til the fire is out. If you cannot get it to go out… you are done, get out and wait for help.
Some other tips:
When you buy a new extinguisher remember to place the purchase date on the unit. That way you will always know how old it is.
If you have antique fire extinguishers in your home (red or gray glass globes, or brass or copper pump type units, or cans that look like juice cans), remember that many of these contain carbon tetrachloride. These devices can harm you if use them. Dispose of them properly. As a home inspector I find these in older homes quite frequently. They can be very dangerous.
Teach everyone in your home where the extinguishers are. Make sure everyone knows they are not a toy and how to use them.
If you are older and concerned that you may not be able to pull the pin on the handle. Pre- cut the plastic so it will be easier for you to use in an emergency.
Develop an emergency meeting place just putside the home to assemble, to make sure everyone is out and accounted for.
Make sure your house is numbered and easy to locate. Minutes wasted by the EMS, Fire & Police searching for your home could be the difference between life and death.
Have fire drills and change smoke alarm and Carbon monoxide alarm batteries twice a year.
Teach your children and grandchildren. They may ultimately save you.
For more tips on safety download my newsletter at www.stonehollow.com
Steve Gladstone is the President of the Belltown Volunteer Fire Department in Stamford.
He is a firefighter for over thirty years and has been a deputy fire marshal and fire inspector. For many years he ran an anti-arson youth program in Stamford. The Belltown Fire Department is always looking for new Members (we will train You) call us at 203-327-6824 for more information. If you have a group interested in a free home safety presentation contact Steve directly at steve@stonehollow.com, or 203 327-6824
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