Fire Safety Tips
Fire is one of the most common disasters and causes more deaths than any other type of disaster. Below are some guidelines to help safe guard your family in the event of fire.
Make Your Home Safe
- Install smoke alarms outside sleeping areas and on each level of your residence. Check smoke alarms often and change the batteries when resetting your clocks in the Spring and Fall.
- Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, make sure it is charged and ask your local fire department to show you how to use the fire extinguisher.
- Keep items of clothing, furniture or anything else that could catch on fire away from portable heaters. Unplug heaters when not in use.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets and running cords under carpet and furniture.
Plan Escape Routes
- Plan escape routes by drawing a floor plan and determining 2 ways to escape from every room in your residence.
- Select an area outside your residence where everyone should meet after escaping. Call 911 from a neighbors house.
- Practice your escape plan when you change the batteries in your smoke alarm or at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
- If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to escape.
- If you are escaping though a closed door, feel the DOOR (not the handle) before opening. If the door feels hot, use your secondary way out.
ONCE OUTSIDE, STAY OUT!
NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING!
For additional information on home fire safety, contact our Director of Emergency Services or call (360) 693-5821 x 105 or Toll Free (888) 434-1966 x 105 or contact your local Fire District.
Fire District 11 - Battle Ground
Brush Prairie/Hockinson Fire District 3
Trivia Questions
Question:
What is the difference between a smoke "detector" and a smoke "alarm"?
Answer:
A "detector" detects smoke and sends a signal to a remote location where the signal is monitored and fire response officials are notified.
An "alarm" makes a noise upon detection of smoke in the immediate area. Alarms make noise where they are.
In simple terms, a smoke alarm sounds an alarm and a smoke detector detects smoke and sends a signal elsewhere.