Home Fire Prevention
Electrical Fires
Electric Blankets, Heating Pads
Never fold or roll blanket -- heat will build up in wires, igniting blanket
and rest of bed. Unplug and smooth flat when not in use. Don't leave a heating
pad on for more than 30 minutes. Never fall asleep with it on. Set alarm clock
to awaken in 30 minutes, if necessary.
Wires, Plugs & Extension Cords
Keep down the number of cords in one outlet or cord will overheat, causing
sparks. Never run cords under rugs, behind radiators or across doorways where
they can become worn. Have broken cords, switches making hiccup sounds, and
hot plugs professionally repaired. Don't mask problem with electrical tape.
Be sure to use proper gauge extension cord -- especially with power tools
and high wattage appliances.
Fuses, Light Bulbs
Use only proper size fuse or circuit will be overloaded, wiring will overheat,
deteriorate and start a fire. If bulb is to large, overheating can occur in
cord, shade, socket, wiring or fixture, igniting combustibles.
Portable Space Heaters
Use one with thermostat (not just switch) that shuts off by itself when tipped
over. Plug directly into own outlet. Use in area free of combustibles and
well ventilated for heat escape. Never leave on overnight.
Clothes Dryers
Never leave synthetic fabrics, plastics, rubber or foam in the dryer for longer
than the manufacturers recommended time. Clean lint screen before and after
use. Keep area free of combustibles. Dryers must be vented to outside and
plugged into own outlet.
Personal Grooming Appliances
Hair dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, makeup mirrors, and electric razors
must be away from combustibles while in use. Disconnect after use. Never fold/crimp
cords or insulation will be ruined, exposing wires which can short out and
spark.
Vaporizers
Never leave vaporizer unattended or near combustibles. Keep water level ample.
Check that cord at the plug is not too hot. If it is, disconnect immediately.
Use in own outlet or with heavy-duty extension cord.
How to fight small electrical fires
Switch off appliance and pull out plug. Smother fire with blanket or Type
C extinguisher. Never try to cool with water because water conducts electricity
and can give you an electrical shock.
Cooking Fires
Greasy Pan
Never heat cooking oil and leave room. A flame can ignite spontaneously! Keep
combustibles away from stove, especially loose sleeves or scarves. Hot grease
can spatter and ignite any paper, cloth, or wood materials nearby.
Fire In Oven
Avoid letting grease build up in any part of oven. A greasy broiler can catch
fire even during preheating. If there is too much fat on a piece of meat,
the grease can flare up and start a fire.
How to Fight Small Cooking Fires
Shut off stove or oven, smother pan with lid/Type B extinguisher or baking
soda. Smother fire in oven by keeping door closed and/or throwing baking soda
on food. Never Move Pan. It will fan the fire or spatter grease. Never turn
on the exhaust fan or use water. Fan will draw up flames. Let fat cool in
oven or else contact with air may make fire flare up again.
Gas Fires
Leaking Gas
Never enter an area with a lighted match or cigarette if you smell gas from
a pipe, heater or stove. The smallest spark or flame could ignite gas in the
air and cause an explosion.
How to Fight Small Gas fires
Shut off gas supply. Smother with rug, blanket or Type B extinguisher or cool
with water. Ventilate the area to let gases out. Call Fire department always
to have the area pipes checked for further hazards. Then call the gas company.
Note: if there is a gas fire, it may be better to let the gas burn rather
than extinguish the fire which would let the gas fill the room or house creating
the potential for an explosion. Therefore, the primary key is to shut off
the gas supply and call the fire department.
Storage Fires
Oil Soaked Rags
Dry out by spreading in a well ventilated room so heat can escape, then wash.
Never put oily rags in a pile because they can ignite themselves. Store in
labeled metal containers sealed with a tight lid.
Barbecue Charcoal
Store unused coal in a cool, dry place because damp coal can ignite itself.
Use metal pail/garbage can with tight lid and place in open space where heat
can escape if self-ignition should occur.
Flammable Liquids
Never use or store in room with pilot light, or to close to hot light bulbs
because vapors in air can easily be ignited. Store in cool, dry room in labeled
metal containers with tight lid.
Stacks of Newspaper
Avoid storing in a damp, warm place because newspapers generate heat and can
ignite themselves. Store in cool, dry place at least 3 feet away from any
heat-generating source, such as a pilot light.
How to Fight Small Storage Fires
Smother with blanket or rug to cut off air supply. Use Type B extinguisher
for rags, charcoal, liquids/solvents, hair spray/glue and Type A extinguisher
for newspapers.
Heating Fires
Fireplace Wood Stoves
Use only dried woods (less smoke, dirt), never flammable liquids. Dispose
of cool ashes in lidded metal container. Never leave fire unattended. When
burning, keep damper open, keep flammable material away and glass door/screen
closed.
Furnaces, Radiators, Water Heaters
Install properly and safely away from walls and ceilings. Never put combustibles
on or near units. Keep ducts and filters dust-free by cleaning several times
a year with unit shut off.
How to Fight Small Heating Fires
Call the fire department if stove pipe is red or fire is in chimney. For furnaces,
radiators, water heaters, immediately shut off. Smother if electrical, only
use water/Type A extinguisher if gas fired. Drown fire in fireplace with baking
soda, water or Type A extinguisher up chimney.
For further information contact Framingham Fire
Prevention at 508-620-4943
