Fire Safety Information

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

It only takes a few minutes to read a safety tip, yet what you learn may add many healthy years to your life and your family.

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Index
10 QUICK SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
YOUR CLOTHING CAN BURN
SMOKE ALARMS & ADVICE TO BABYSITTERS
WHAT TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
ELECTRIC BLANKET SAFETY & WEAT BAGS(PILLOWS)
HOUSEHOLD HOT WATER SAFETY

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YOUR CLOTHING CAN BURN Know what your children are wearing! Teach them the dangers of fire!

What are flammable fabrics?

Fabrics with brushed or pile surfaces like molleton cloth, winceyette and acrylic are warmer than plain surfaced fabrics. But they can catch fire very easily and burn very fast. Fabrics which are loosely woven are more flammable than firmly woven ones, and light- weight fabrics burn faster than the same fabrics in a heavier weight.

All fabrics will burn. The belief that only a few fabrics are involved in clothing fires is untrue. However most synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon etc) do not ignite as easily as cotton or rayon, but they can melt as they burn.

Synthetics mixed with cotton or rayon can burn fiercely, melt and stick, causing deep burns.

Some common causes of clothing fires are:

Wearing loose fitting clothing such as night gowns, dresses and skirts, whilst being near heat sources such as ovens, heaters and open fire places.

Playing with matches and lighters.

Playing too close to heaters, fire places and outside fires, like barbecues and rubbish fires.

Falling asleep while smoking

What can you do as a parent?

Training your child at an early age of the dangers of fire, is very important.

Teach them that playing with matches or playing near heaters and fires could cause them to get burnt.

Put screens or guards near heaters and fires so children can’t get to close.

Don’t leave cooking pot handles sticking out over the side of the stove or electric leads to kettles.

Keep an eye on them when burning rubbish or using barbecues.

Lead by example

If clothing does catch fire

Roll the victim on the floor, if possible in a blanket, mat or coat to smother the flames

Cool the area of burns with water for 5-10 minutes

Call for medical assistance

Once cooled, cover the burned area lightly with a clean, dry material such as a sheet or pillow slip.

Children receive a lot of burns each year from hot water, out of the tap. Households with young children should have the hot water cylinder set at 55 deg Celsius. BACK TO HOME PAGE

Portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers should only be used in the following circumstances;

When everyone has been evacuated and accounted for at a safe meeting place.
When the fire service has been called.
When it is safe to do so considering the size and location of the fire.
Access to the fire is unrestricted and a safe retreat is possible at all times.

Remember life is more important than property, don't put yourself or others at risk. Only when everyone is outside and the fire service has been called, should you attempt to put the fire out, and only if it is contained and you can safely escape.

What type of fire extinguisher do I need?

Fire is divided into four classes.
Some extinguishers are more suitable than others for putting out the different classes of fire

CLASS OF FIRE	EXTINGUISHER
CLASS A Materials such as wood, paper and textiles	WATER (Garden hose or reel) Water filled extinguisher Multi-purpose dry powder
CLASS B Flammable liquids such as Petrol, fats and solvents	Dry powder Carbon dioxide Foam Light water
CLASS C Gases such as Acetylene L.P.G, C.N.G and natural gas.	Turn off gas first.!!! Use a suitable extinguisher on what ever is left burning
CLASS D Metals, such as sodium, Potassium and Magnesium	Special dry powder

Where should I install the fire extinguisher?

Fire Extinguishers should be wall mounted above the normal reach of children, and in or near the kitchen.

If it is in the kitchen, don't put it to close to the stove or cooking surfaces.

Ideally have another extinguisher in the garage and one in the car.

Caravans should have one attached to the inside of the door.

Boats should have one mounted in a protected area where it can be reached from the open deck.

Operating the extinguisher.

Always carefully read the instructions on the side of the extinguisher, and make everyone staying in the house aware of where it is and how to use it.

Most extinguishers require a safety pin or clip to be removed before a trigger can be operated.

Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, keeping yourself low, and work the extinguisher in a sweeping motion from left to right.

Don't start to close to the fire ( most extinguishers are designed to be operated from about 2 - 3 metres away )

REMEMBER Just having a fire extinguisher is not enough, everyone needs to know where it is, and how to use it.

Well done for reading this safety tip! What you know now could make the difference between successfully extinguishing a small fire compared to losing your house and belongings.

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