Live Safe Foundation » home fires

Fire Sprinkler Systems Great for Homes Too

Guest — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:38:28 +0000

Imagine having 24-hour fire protection in your home. Sound impractical? Sprinkler systems save lives and reduce fire damages by over 80%. When coupled with smoke alarms, they provide early warning and extinguishment. Sprinklers are so effective because they react quickly, allowing people the time to evacuate the home.

Fire Sprinkler Systems Great for Homes Too

Sprinkler systems have been used in commercial buildings for many years. However, their use in residential settings is increasing. Several factors have contributed to this trend including new technology quick-response sprinkler heads, reduced installation and water supply connection costs, the use of plastic pipe, and the ability to blend the sprinkler heads into the décor of the room.

Homeowners’ most common concerns about fire sprinkler systems such as accidental discharge, water damage, and activation as a result of kitchen cooking are unfounded. The National Fire Protection Association’s records indicate the probability of a sprinkler discharging accidentally due to a manufacturing defect is one in 16 million. And, in a typical home, water damage will be considerably less from unwanted sprinkler discharges than from plumbing mishaps. Lastly, smoke resulting from burned toast or other food preparations cannot cause a sprinkler to operate. Only the high temperatures that result from a fire will activate the sprinkler. Even then, all the sprinklers will not activate at the same time. They work independently. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire activates and, 90% of the time, one sprinkler contains the fire.

Sprinklers are installed by specially trained and certified contractors. The best time to install a system is when you are building a new or remodeling an existing home. Installing sprinklers can add about 1% – 1.5% to the total cost of construction. Retrofitting an existing home with sprinklers generally costs more and the cost varies depending on the structure in which they are installed. Many insurance companies offer a range of discounts for homeowners with home fire sprinkler systems.

So if you will be building a new home or embarking on a renovation or remodel in the future, consider installing sprinklers in part or all of your home.

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.

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.

National Fire Protection Agency Releases Report on Home Fires

Guest — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:54:19 +0000

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 373,900 home structure fires from 2005-2009 according to new research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). According to the report, cooking fires remain the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries and smoking materials continue to be the leading cause of home fire deaths.

During the five-year period covered by the report, roughly one in every 310 households per year had a reported home fire. Each year, these fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage. On average, seven people died in U.S. home fires every day.

One-quarter of the home fire deaths resulted from fires that originated in the bedroom, 24% from fires in the family room, living room, or den, and 15% from fires starting in the kitchen. Though only 20% of reported fires occurred between the hours of 11:00 pm and 7:00 am, half of the deaths were caused by fires reported during this time. Click here to view the top ten fire safety tips from NFPA.

These news stories and other Individual & Community Preparedness news can be found on our website at www.citizencorps.gov.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

Space Heaters Need Their Space

Guest — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:35:05 +0000

Portable space heaters may be convenient and even help save energy in some cases, but they are also the leading cause of home fires during December, January and February and second only to cooking equipment as the cause of home fires year-round. Although space heaters were responsible for 32% of home heating fires in 2008, they were the most deadly, accounting for 82% of the fire deaths relating to home heating, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

One of the most common causes of space heater home fires is failure to give space heaters their space, by placing them too close to things that will burn and using the wrong fuel (in the case of kerosene heaters).

Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

A safe place for space heaters is a minimum of three feet away from anything burnable (furniture, drapes, papers etc.), away from children and pets, and out of doorways and exits. Space heaters should also be kept away from water sources like spigots, tubs and showers to avoid serious risk of electric shock.

Avoid using extension cords with space heaters. Plug electric-powered space heaters into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord, which can heat up and start a fire by igniting nearby combustibles.

Kerosene heaters need their space while operating and when being fueled. Fill kerosene heaters in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources and only when the heater is completely cooled. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer. Never use gasoline!

Even if you have placed your heater a safe distance from anything that can burn, always turn it off before you leave the house or go to sleep.

Looking for a new space heater? Purchase one that has a safety device that turns it off automatically if it is tipped over and also that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

Check for product recalls at www.cpsc.gov.

Space heaters can be useful and convenient, but they need their space.

Images provided by www.google.com.

Candles are a Growing Cause of Fires

Guest — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:13:27 +0000

Candles have become very popular over the last ten years. The industry is a $2 billion industry. The large variety of shapes, sizes, colors, containers, and fragrances offered have contributed to their popularity and wide use in nearly every room of the house. Seven out of ten homes in the U.S. use candles throughout the year to decorate, create a desired mood, celebrate, add fragrance, mask odors and generate light.

During 2007, candles in U.S. homes caused an estimated 12,700 reported structure fires, 200 deaths, 1,040 injuries, and $367 million in estimated property damage. The winter holiday season is a peak time for candle burning as we take part in end-of-year holiday celebrations. Historically, the number of home candle fires in December increases by more than 50% compared to other months of the year. Start implementing safe habits for candle use throughout the year.

Blow out your candles before leaving the room!

Never underestimate the damage that a small flame can do.

Extinguish candles before you leave the room or go to bed.
Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can catch fire such as flammable decorations, curtains, carpets, books, papers and Christmas trees.
Burn candles on a heat-resistant surface in a stable, non-flammable container that grips or holds the candle securely, can catch any drips or melted wax, and is not subject to cracking or breaking when heated (tempered).
Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch.
Extinguish a candle if it smokes, flickers repeatedly, or the flame becomes too high.
Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they burn to within two inches of the holder and votive and container candles before the last half inch of wax begins to melt.
Keep candles away from flammable liquids and never use one to check a pilot light or when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern.
The flame could ignite the fumes into flame. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are much safer light sources than candles during a power failure.
Always burn candles in a well-ventilated room but away from drafts, vents and air currents to help prevent rapid, uneven burning, smoking, and excessive dripping. Drafts can also blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame where they could catch fire.
Don’t allow teens to have candles in their bedrooms. Forty percent of candle fires start in the bedroom.

Images provided by www.google.com.

Heating Systems Spark Fires

Guest — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:48:37 +0000

Be careful! Heating Systems Spark Fires

As the seasons change, the temperatures are turning colder and it will soon be time when we turn on our indoor heating systems. Heating system equipment failures are the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 66,400 home-heating fires occurred in the U.S. in 2007, resulting in 1,850 civilian injuries and $608 million in direct property damage. Common causes of space heating home fires include lack of regular cleaning, leading to creosote build-up in burning devices and associated chimneys and connectors, failing to give space heaters enough space by installing or placing them too close to combustibles, and fueling errors involving liquid- or gas- fueled heating equipment.

As the fall season is fast approaching, heating systems will be necessary to warm our homes. Use caution when using furnaces, heaters and wood burning devices and follow these safety tips.
•   Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors and all other solid-fueled heating equipment needs to be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as the inspector indicates. Creosote residue in the chimney caused by burning green wood or by the poor design of some wood-burning fireplaces can start fires which can spread rapidly.
•   When buying a new unit, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing lab such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Be sure that a qualified technician installs the unit or checks that the unit has been installed properly.
•   Install or place portable space heaters at least 3-feet from anything that can burn (newspaper, cloth, furniture) and always turn them off before leaving the room or going to sleep.
•   Never use gasoline or flammable liquids to start a fire or rekindle a small one in a fireplace because of the danger of fire spreading throughout the room and causing injury.
•   Use a sturdy fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying into the room. Allow ashes from the fireplace to cool completely before disposing of them in a tightly covered metal container, never in boxes or bags.
•   Portable kerosene heaters must be fueled only in a well-ventilated area, free of flame and other heat sources, and only when the device has cooled completely. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer for that device, and never use gasoline instead of kerosene.

Enjoy your patio fire pit…carefully

Guest — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:33:19 +0000

Enjoy your patio fire pit…carefully.

Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are becoming an important feature of many residential back yards. They are relatively inexpensive and provide ambiance and relaxation during a cool evening. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can be as simple as a metal bowl with a protective screen, the popular chimineas or more elaborate and expensive outdoor fireplaces. Both the Ohio Fire Code and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit these types of open burning with restrictions.

1. Recreational “small” fires must be confined to an approved outdoor container if the open burn is within 50 feet of a structure.

2. The container keeps the size of the fire to less than three feet in width and no higher than two feet as required by the fire code and EPA.

3. The small fire is controlled by the burn container, which reduces the fire exposure risk to nearby structures.

When it comes time to use your fire pit etc., here are some important tips to keep in mind.

• The fire pit or approved container must be at least 15 feet away from any structure or combustible surface that can catch fire. This minimal distance is per national, state and local fire code requirements for open burning in approved containers.

•Avoid windy conditions that can blow hot embers onto combustible surfaces. It’s possible that conditions in Ohio could prompt burn bans depending on dry weather conditions.

•Remove leaves and other combustible materials around the pit to ensure the fire doesn’t accidentally spread.

•Always have a container of water nearby and a garden hose on standby before starting the fire.

• Do not use lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start a fire because of the risks of severe burn injuries. Instead, place a crumpled piece of paper or cardboard or a store-bought fire starter and cover with kindling. As the wood catches fire, add larger pieces until you’re able to add a dry seasoned log or two.

• Keep children and pets a minimum of three feet from the open burn.

• Extinguish a fire by spreading the ashes over a large surface area to cool. Then, pour water over them to make sure they are completely extinguished Ashes can re-ignite.

• If you have a fire that escapes your fire pit and moves into a nearby pile of kindling or a combustible surface, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Check your home insurance policy to ensure that you’re properly covered when using an approved outdoor fire container.

• Permanent outdoor fireplaces can present zoning issues if there are existing deed restrictions and/or property set back requirements which restrict any type of structure constructed.

• Keep in mind that outdoor fire containers can produce smoke pollutants, which can be a health hazard to you and your neighbors. They can also produce smoke scares during night- time hours, if the source of the smoke is not readily apparent. These calls are treated as potential fires, commiting firefighters and equipment until the source of the smoke is identified.

Visible House Numbers Important for Emergencies

Guest — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 21:22:19 +0000

Most fire departments have detailed maps of the neighborhoods they protect and are familiar with the locations of streets, commercial buildings and hydrants within their jurisdiction.

Because emergency response crews need to find addresses as quickly as possible when called, they often rely on house numbers for quick reference. If the numbers on your home are not easy to find or read, it will take longer for crews to reach you. Victims of heart attack, stroke, or choking need immediate care. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

House numbers should meet the following requirements:

• Must be Arabic numerals. Fancy numbers or numbers that are spelled out may be aesthetically pleasing but are very difficult to read from the street.

• Need to be a minimum of four inches high and in a contrasting color to their immediate background. Brass or bronze numbers are difficult to see in the day or nighttime.

• Must be displayed on the front of the dwelling and visible from the street.

• If the dwelling is located more than 45 feet from the front lot line, the number should be displayed on a gate post, fence, mailbox, or other appropriate place that will make it visible from the street from all directions when approaching from the street.

• Cannot be obstructed by shrubs, trees, decorations, etc.

Take a moment to look at your house number. Make sure your numbers follow the above guidelines. It will help emergency crews find you easier and faster.

For more information about the requirements for house numbers in the City of Dublin, Ohio, consult the City’s building code ordinance #150.125 (Manner of Numbering and System) and the Washington Township Fire Code Section 505.1 (Address Numbers).

Images: Courtesy of Google Images

Know and Test All Exit Routes

Guest — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:16:40 +0000

About 3,000 people die every year in home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most fatal home fires begin at night while we are asleep. Unprepared for the effects of the smoke, disoriented from being awakened abruptly and frightened, many people make poor decisions for escape and haven’t identified and tested all their escape routes. Your family will have a better chance of escaping safely from a fire if they practice a home fire escape plan, know how to stay low and crawl under smoke the nearest exit, and are able to locate and use multiple emergency exit routes.

In most homes and apartments, emergency exits are usually windows and stairways. Make sure windows can be opened and screens and storm windows can be removed from the inside. Confirm that children can operate the window locks and know how to get out quickly. If they cannot get out, they should know to wait for help at the window, where firefighters can see them.

If bedrooms are on the second floor, have a folding escape ladder available and practice putting it in the window. Non-combustible escape ladders that have been tested and listed by an independent testing laboratory are available from most hardware stores. Don’t count on being able to create a ladder by tying bed sheets together. There is usually not enough time or enough bed sheets nearby and jumping from a second story window can cause severe injuries.

If you live in an apartment or condominium and enclosed stairways are your emergency exits, practice finding these in the dark. Count the number of doors from your bedroom to the exit stairway. You probably won’t be able to see the lighted exit sign above the doorway through the smoke. Keep the doors to all exit stairways closed to help prevent smoke from entering your escape route.

Generate as many different escape routes for your family as possible and practice all of them at least twice a year. Always choose the escape route that is safest, the one with the least amount of smoke and heat. When you do your fire drill, everyone should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your emergency exit. Practicing can help reduce your family members’ response time, an important factor in a fire situation. When time is short, fast action is needed.

If your family does not have a home fire escape plan, contact the Washington Township Fire Department at 614-652-3920 for information.

Images: Courtesy of Google Images and www.nfpa.org/…/ ClearEscapeRoutes.jpg

Live Safe 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. 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.

NFPA: Home Fires Account for 92 Percent of Structure Fire Deaths

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:58:34 +0000

According to a new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) study called Home Structure Fires, home fires account for 92 percent of fire deaths that occur in structures. These fires cause an average of 2,840 civilian deaths each year.

“This study strongly underscores the need to aggressively work to reduce the number of home fires in this country in order to save lives from fire,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA.

During the period of 2003-2007, U.S. fire departments responded to approximately 380,000 home fires a year. These fires not only caused a large number of civilian deaths, they also caused an average of 13,160 reported civilian fire injuries and $6.4 billion in direct property damage.

From 2003-2007, smoking materials caused the largest number of fire deaths. Heating equipment was the second leading cause of home fires and home fire deaths.

The leading cause of home structure fires, civilian fire injuries, and unreported fires continues to be cooking equipment. Forty-one percent of home fires started in the kitchen area and caused 15 percent of the home fire deaths and 36 percent of the reported fire injuries.

Other key findings include:

Reported home fires peaked around dinner hours of 5 to 8 p.m.
Only 20 percent of the reported home fires occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., however 52 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires reported during these hours.
Thirty percent of reported home structure fires and 38 percent of home fire deaths occurred in the quarter including December, January, and February.
Reported apartment fires were more likely to start in the kitchen than fires in one- and two-family homes.
The two leading items first ignited in home fire deaths are upholstered furniture in 21 percent of home fire deaths, followed by mattress and bedding in 13 percent of the deaths.

Properly installed and maintained fire protection can prevent most fire deaths. Forty percent of fatal home fire injuries occurred in properties where no smoke alarms were present. Home fire sprinklers can also help, as the death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was 83 percent lower when wet pipe sprinkler systems were present, compared to reported home fires without automatic extinguishing equipment.

“Smoke alarms have been a key factor in significantly reducing the fire death problem since their widespread use beginning in the ‘70s,” Carli said. “The move to require home fire sprinklers in new homes will be the next step forward in fire protection.”

NFPA offers these safety tips to prevent home structure fires from occurring:

Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from the stovetop.
Keep anything that can burn, such as paper, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment and have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around stoves, open fires, and space heaters.
Remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
Smoke alarm accessories are available for people who are hard of hearing. These accessories activate from the sound of traditional smoke alarms and produce a complex low frequency alarm signal, more effective at waking those with mild to severe hearing loss.

For the complete list of safety tips, visit www.nfpa.org/safetytips.

Article Credits: www.nfpa.org

Outdoor Cooking Safety Makes It More Tasty

Guest — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:28:12 +0000

The taste of a grilled hot dog or burger is hard to beat. Whether you are using propane, charcoal, or electricity, grilling involves hot surfaces and, most of the time, flames. The potential for serious burns and fires warrants caution and safety before, during, and after your cookout.

Use charcoal lighter or fluid on coals only before you start the fire. Never use gasoline to start or revive a fire. Gasoline in its liquid or vapor form can ignite and cause severe burns.
Keep damp or wet coals in a well-ventilated area. During the drying process, spontaneous combustion can occur in confined spaces. If a bag of charcoal gets wet, leave it outside and away from the house.
Use grills where they will not tip over or ignite objects above them. Do not use them on balconies or under awnings. Over one third (33%) of all gas grill and charcoal grill home fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch. Keep grills outside of tents and recreational vehicles.
Never use a grill in the home. The carbon monoxide produced by burning charcoal can be dangerous in an enclosed space.
Never leave a lighted grill unattended.
Have a container of water or garden hose ready to extinguish a fire.
Keep children away from fires and grills. They may try to climb on the grill to see what is cooking.
Though coals may appear cold, always soak them after cooking. Carefully douse the coals with water, avoiding splashing and splatters form a garden hose and keep your body clear of steam and smoke.
Grilling Safety
If you use a grill fueled by liquid propane (LP), check all fuel line connections periodically for leaks by coating them with a solution of soap and water and watching for bubbles, an indicator of a leak.
Light LP-fueled gas grills according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn off burner valves and the supply valve on the gas cylinder or tank when the grill in not in use. Never store an LP-fueled grill indoors.
Make sure you have long-handled grilling tools on hand to give the chef at your house plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
If you need to treat a burn, cool it with cool, not cold, water immediately. Cover the burn with a clean cloth and seek emergency help.