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is E.D.I.T.H? - Smoke Alarms – Prevent Scalds in Bathroom
– Prevent
Scalds in Kitchen – Fireproof Your Yard
The Overall Fire Picture - 2005
- 83 percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred in
residences.
- Fire killed more Americans than all natural
disasters combined.
- There were 17,925 civilian injuries that occurred as
the result of fire.
- There were 115 firefighters killed while on duty.
- More
fire victims die from smoke than flames.
- Smoke
can overwhelm a child or adult in minutes.
E.D.I.T.H.
stands for Exit Drills In The Home. Having
a planned route of escape could mean the difference between life and tragedy in
the event of a house fire.
How would
you get out of your home in case of fire?
How about
your children?
How would
they escape from a second or third floor?
Draw a floor plan of your home.
Plan two ways to get out of every room.
Agree on an outside meeting place.
Decide who'll take charge of each child.
Discuss the plan with your family.
Practice escapes at night. That's when most
deadly fires occur.
NOTE: Show children who live in
high-rise buildings the shortest route to a safe exit. Warn them not to use the
elevator.
Install
smoke detectors
outside all sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Test them monthly following
manufacturers' instructions.
Change batteries at least once a year -
even if they are still working.
Never remove batteries for use in toys,
a flashlight, or radio.
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SAFETY AT HOME – Scalds and Burns
Prevent scalds
in the bathroom:
Test how "hot" your hot water
is. Turn on the hot water at the tub faucet. Let it run for 3 to 5 minutes.
Measure the temperature with a hot water
gauge or mercury thermometer. (Liquid crystal bath thermometers are available
for a few dollars.)
Set the water heater's thermostat to
low, warm, or 120oF. Wait a day. Test the water again. Repeat, if
necessary. Your clothes and dishes will get clean at this setting!
Install anti-scald devices in your shower
and bathtub fixtures that stop the water flow when the temperature exceeds
120oF.
Always check the water temperature before
placing your child in the tub. A child's skin burns more easily than an
adult's.
Supervise
kids in the tub. Young children can turn the hot water on by themselves. Older
children can scald a younger child.
Never apply anything but water to cool a burn. Applying other items could result in more serious injury and/or permanent scarring.
NOTE: If
you rent, ask your landlord to lower the water temperature or put an anti-scald
device in your shower and bathtub fixtures.
Prevent scalds
in the kitchen:
Keep hot foods and drinks away from the
edge of tables and counters. Do not put them on a tablecloth that little hands
can yank.
Don't hold your child too if you're
cooking or holding something hot
Keep your child away from the stove.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the
stove. If possible, use rear burners.
Watch for dangling appliance cords on
crock-pots, irons and other appliances.
Never apply anything but water to cool a
burn. Applying other items could result in more serious injury and/or permanent
scarring.
SAFETY AT
HOME – Fire Proofing Your Yard
The dry,
mild climate here in Tucson is by far one of our greatest assets, however the
dry weather greatly increases our risk for brush fires. Taking simple steps to fireproof the
perimeter of your home could prevent costly property damage, and could
potentially save lives.
Trim branches that overhang your house.
Trim the branches back to at least 10 feet from your house. This is especially
important near your chimney and heater vents. If you need to trim branches or
remove trees near power lines, call TEP prior to trimming. This will save you
time and money in the event of a mishap.
Clear your property of brush to 30’ from
the house or to the property line on all sides, whichever is closer. This does
not include plants and bushes that make up the landscaping around your house.
Brush fire spreads rapidly from the ground to the trees if there is an
abundance of undergrowth. Clearing the brush will add value to property by
providing a buffer of defensible space and will keep your property attractive
and looking well maintained.
Keep your roof and rain gutters clean.
Leaves, needles and branches on a roof or in the rain gutters may catch an
ember and start a roof fire.