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Posts Tagged ‘electrical’

Friday, December 24th, 2010

The chances of fires occurring in our homes at Christmas is increased due to more than normal numbers of people in our homes, the inevitable increase in quantities of paper, decorations, boxes, temporary lighting, sources of ignition and Christmas trees. In addition with the extra amount of alcohol consumed and cigarettes smoked, the chance of fires in homes is even more likely.

Here are a few practical tips for reducing the risks:

Decorations

Check lights before use, ensure all bulbs are tight and in place, that there are no missing bulbs or loose wires and make sure you unplug when room is unoccupied.
Keep tree lights away from combustible decorations.
Dispose of wrapping paper immediately and don’t let small children open presents alone especially if you have open fires.
Do not use real candles on trees.
Be particularly careful with candles, fix in correct holders away from children and decorations.
Make sure tea lights are on a non-combustible surface, they get hot underneath and could start a fire.
Do not spray trees with hairspray if they catch fire they will burn fiercely.

Electrics

Plugs for trees should be fitted with a 3 amp fuse, no more.
Do not overload extension cables with more electrical equipment than the
With extension cables on reels, always unwind all of the cable off the reel, they can easily overheat and set on fire.
Do not use batteries out of smoke alarms to use for presents, without a battery a smoke alarm would not operate putting your life in danger.

If a fire does break out

Close the door of the room where the fire is located, this will help to contain the fire and restrict the spread of poisonous fumes.
Warn the household and get everyone out.
Call the Fire Service by dialling 911.
Do not re-enter the premises for any reason.

Further advice

Further advice can be obtained from your local fire station.

Have a safe and happy Christmas.

Article Credits: Mike Davies is the director of UK fire consultancy 1666 London Limited. He was a serving fire officer for 30 years and is passionate helping businesses comply with Fire Regulations. More importantly, Mike genuinely cares about people’s safety from fire and helping people understand the dangers of fire.

Contact details are:

Mike’s email address mike@1666london.co.uk

His bio can be found at http://1666london.co.uk/About/Mike-Davies.aspx

Link to company http://1666london.co.uk

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Tags: Christmas, decorations, electrical, fire safety, Holiday
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Electrical Appliance Safety

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Electrical fires in homes claimed the lives of 370 people in 2006, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most of these fires are caused by misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances. The kind of appliances most often involved in electrical fires are stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, central heating units, TVs, radios, and CD/DVD players. Help prevent an electrical fire in your home by taking the following preventative measures:

Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring for cracked wires. Replace worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
Use extension cords only temporarily and don’t overload them by attaching more electrical appliances to them than they are designed to handle.
Pinching cords against walls or furniture or running them under carpets or across doorways can cause a fire.
Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp’s recommended wattage.
Purchase only electrical appliances that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), indicating it has met safety standards.
Keep children from playing with or around electrical appliances such as space heaters, irons, and hair dryers. Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
Keep clothes, curtains, and other similar combustible items at least three feet from all heaters. Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, including lamp shades, furniture, bedding, clothing, and flammable or combustible liquids.
Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts, or gives off smoke or sparks.

If an electrical appliance catches fire, first try unplugging it or shutting the electricity off at the fuse or circuit breaker panel. If you cannot shut off the electricity, use a portable extinguisher with the rating of “C” on it, indicating it is approved for use on electrical fires. If you do not have a fire extinguisher, or the fire is too large to fight (larger than a household waste basket), leave the house and call the fire department. Do not use water on the fire as it conducts electricity and you could be shocked.

To learn more about extinguishers and get first-hand experience using one on a real fire, take advantage of one of our group training classes, offered by appointment. Request a date for your group by completing the online program request form at www.wtwp.com.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

Tags: appliances, electrical, Electrical Safety
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Preventing Electrical, Chemical and Thermal Burns

Monday, February 8th, 2010

National Burn Awareness Week is February 7-13, 2010. Because burn injuries are common in the U.S., especially among children, increasing awareness about how to prevent burn injuries and knowing what to do if you get burned is especially crucial. The three most common types of burns are electrical, chemical, and thermal.

Help prevent electrical burns by installing outlet plug covers, using extension cords wisely by not exceeding the load rating, discarding damaged cords and unplugging appliances before repairing them. Also, never use electrical appliances such as hair dryers, electric shavers, or curling irons near water. Prevent chemical burns by using cabinet locks to prevent children from accessing any stored chemicals. Use caution when purchasing chemicals and, when possible, try to select chemicals that are less toxic and therefore less dangerous to children should they be accidentally exposed.

Many thermal burns occur outdoors (sun exposure) and in the kitchen and bathroom. To prevent thermal burns, apply sunscreen and limit your sun exposure. In the kitchen, turn pot handles toward the center of your stove so they cannot be easily bumped. Use back burners when children are present; use splatter shields when frying; and monitor children near the stove. Be cautious when moving hot pots or uncovering hot microwaved items. Use heat-resistant pot holders for both hands. In the bathroom, unplug hair dryers and curling irons when they are not in use and keep them out of reach of children. Adjust bath water for younger children, ensuring that it is not warmer than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Treatment varies depending on the type of burn. For electrical burns, first protect yourself by not going near or touching the victim until you are sure the power has been turned off, the plug has been disconnected from the source, or the victim is free from electricity. For both wet and dry chemical burns, treatment involves removal of the product according to the label directions and instructions from Poison Control (1-800-222-1222).

Treatment for thermal burns is dependent on many factors including the type of burn, severity, the person’s medical history, age, and condition. Many situations can be addressed with basic first aid while others require professional medical treatment.

If you are interested to learn basic first aid you can use to treat minor burns, call the Washington Township Fire Department at 614-652-3920 to register for a first aid class. For more information about burn prevention and safety, pick up a free brochure at the Fire Administration Building or one of our four fire stations.

“Line of Duty” Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

LiveSafe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making fire safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. LiveSafe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. LiveSafe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

Tags: burn awareness week, chemical, electrical, poison control, scald burns, thermal, Washington Township
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Fire Prevention Week Begins October 4, 2009

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

“Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned” is the theme for Fire Prevention Week 2009. NFPA’s annual week long awareness week focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Assn. of North America (today known as the International Fire Marshals Association), decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.

Fire prevention programs and educational events are available across the country during this campaign. Be sure to visit your local Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week. Fire Departments across the country will be hosting free Open Houses designed to welcome the public and give local citizens the opportunity to meet their local firefighters, ask questions, get a hands on look inside the station, trucks as well as learn more about the various aspects of the fire service.

Please educate yourself on Kitchen, Electrical and Bath Safety – focusing on Burn Prevention! Know the dangers of fire and the importance of sprinklers, smoke alarms and candle/cooking/smoking safety now – practice your escape routes in the event of a fire. Before winter arrives, check your home for new batteries in your smoke alarms! Don’t forget to practice safety and have fun this fall!

Source: NFPA, The National Fire Protection Association – The authority on fire, electrical and burn safety. (To learn more about fire Prevention Week visit: Eight decades of Fire Prevention.)

Tags: burn safety, Chicago Fire, electrical, fire safety, kitchen, nfpa, smoke alarms, Sprinklers
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