DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

What are YOU gonna do about…FIRES & WILDFIRES?Since fire spreads so quickly, there is NO time to grab valuables or make aphone call! In just two minutes a fire can become life threatening! In fiveminutes a house can be engulfed in flames.A fire’s heat and smoke are more dangerous than the actual flames sinceyou can burn your lungs by inhaling the super-hot air. Fire produces apoisonous gas that makes you drowsy and disoriented (confused). Insteadof being awakened by a fire, you could fall into a deeper sleep.First we will discuss FIRES like you might encounter in your home orapartment, then we will cover WILDFIRES since there are many thingspeople need to think about when living near wilderness areas.BEFORE AFIRE (FIRE SAFETY TIPS):Install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors! - Test alarms 1-4 timesa month, replace batteries once a year, and get new units every 10 years.Make a plan - Review Section 1 and create an Escape Plan that includes twoescape routes from every room in the house and walk through the routeswith your entire family. Also...• Make sure your windows are not nailed or painted shut.• Make sure security bars on windows have a fire safetyopening feature so they can be easily opened from theinside…and teach everyone how to open them!• Teach everyone how to stay LOW to floor (air is safer).• Pick a spot to meet after escaping fire (meeting place).Clean up - Keep storage areas clean - don’t stack up newspapers & trash.Check power sources - Check electrical wiring and extension cords -- don’toverload cords or outlets. Make sure there are no exposed wires anywhereand make sure wiring doesn’t touch home insulation.Use caution - Never use gasoline or similar liquids indoors and neversmoke around flammable liquids!Check heat sources - Check furnaces, stoves, cracked or rusty furnace parts,and chimneys. Always be careful with space heaters and keep them at least3 feet (1 m) away from flammable materials.52 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325