A fire extinguisher is an absolute necessity in any home or office. While there’s a good chance that the extinguisher will never be used to fight a fire, it could end up saving your property and even your life.

Types of Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are rated by the type of fire they can put out. It is important to choose the proper fire extinguisher for each fire. Fire extinguishers are labeled with letters and/or pictures to indicate the type of fire on which the extinguisher is effective.

Ordinary Combustibles Fire

A

paper, wood, plastics, fabric, rubber, trash

Flammable Liquids Fire

B

gasoline, oil, grease, some paints and solvents

Electrical Fire

C

energized electrical equipment; appliances, computers, circuit breakers, wiring

A combination ABC Dry Chemical extinguisher can be used on more than one type of fire, and is a good choice for home use.

Remember the P.A.S.S. Word

There are four basic steps to using a fire extinguisher.

Pull
Place the extinguisher on the floor. Hold it by the tank (pressure on the handle could pinch the pin). Pull the pin straight out.

Aim
Start 10 feet back from the fire. Aim at the base of the fire.

Squeeze
Squeeze the lever on the fire extinguisher.

Sweep
Sweep from side to side, moving in slowly until the fire is out.

Get Out
If the fire gets bigger, close the door and evacuate.

Be Prepared

Training and practice are the best ways to prepare for emergencies. Make certain you know the P.A.S.S. system and understand how to safely use a fire extinguisher before you ever need to.

• Don’t force yourself to fight a fire that makes you uncomfortable or puts you at risk.
• Always let someone know and make certain 911 has been called before using an extinguisher on a fire.
• Fire extinguishers are small quick fixes. If you are unable to put out the fire with one extinguisher, leave and close the door behind you.
• A fire involving any portion of building structure is too big for a portable fire extinguisher.
• While using a fire extinguisher stay low, the smoke is filled with carbon monoxide and many other toxic gases.
• Don’t let the fire come between you and your exit. Keep your back to the exit and the fire in front of you.

What To Look For

One of the most important features of a home fire escape ladder is the presence of standoffs. These are protrusions that hold the ladder rungs away from the side of the house. Standoffs help steady the ladder and allow enough room for a secure toehold. The more standoffs on a ladder the better.

Home escape ladders come in two standard lengths—15 feet and 25 feet. The shorter length is adequate for most two story bedrooms, while the longer is used for three story rooms. Make sure that the ladder is easily deployed by the person who is meant to use it. Also check for the load limit. Ladders should be rated for at least 1,000 pounds.

There are permanent fire escape systems available which are attached to or built into the house and are activated by a lever inside the bedroom. Although much more stable than a portable fire escape ladder, their price is considerably higher.

Where To Get Them

Safety Supply Stores
Look in the yellow pages under safety equipment. Many of these stores carry reasonably priced escape ladders. Also check under fire extinguishers for suppliers that may provide home escape ladders.

Hardware & Department Stores
Local stores may carry escape ladders on a periodic basis. Check by calling around to see who is currently carrying them.

Mail-order Catalogs, Internet
There are a variety of safety supply companies from which you can order ladders. This can be an expedient means of obtaining a ladder for those who are unable to purchase them locally.

How To Use Them

Portable ladders work somewhat like a boat ladder. They are generally made from aluminum or heavy plastic chain with rigid bars as the rungs of the ladder. You keep them folded up in a box in your bedroom. When you need to use the ladder, you hook the top portion of the ladder over the window sill and drop the rest out the window. They can be somewhat awkward to use, but they can save your life.

After purchasing a ladder, make sure that it fits the specific window for which its intended. If the ladder is for a child’s room, have the child practice putting the ladder out the window. Then have them practice climbing out, but do this from a first floor window. Do this as part of a family fire drill.

Home Escape Plans

Every home should have an escape plan in case of a fire. All family members should be included in the planning process. Make plans for anyone with special needs, such as a baby, toddler or older person.

Draw a picture of your home floor plan. Mark the location of exits (two from every room, if possible), an outside meeting place and the closest telephone. Check the exits from each bedroom. If the second exit is a window, can it be opened? Can someone safely make it to the ground? Is an escape ladder needed?

Have a family fire drill to practice the plan. Start with family members in their bedroom with the door closed. An adult should push the button on the smoke detector to sound the alarm. Each person should test the door before opening it, then follow the way out to the meeting place. Everyone should meet there, then one person can pretend to go call 911.

Evaluate the drill, and make any changes needed. Review and practice your plan at least once a year.

Approximately 250 people in the United States die each year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This deadly gas is hard to detect because it is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Take the following steps to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

Important Steps

• Have a qualified technician inspect fuel-burning appliances at least once each year. Fuel-burning appliances such as oil and gas furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance. A qualified technician can identify and repair problems with your fuel-burning appliances.
• Be aware that CO poisoning may be the cause of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, tightness of the chest, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and breathing difficulties. Because CO poisoning often causes a victim’s blood pressure to rise, the victim’s skin may take on a pink or red cast.
• Install a UL Listed CO detector outside sleeping areas. A UL Listed CO detector will sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumulate. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before installing a CO detector. If your detector is wired directly into your home’s electrical system, you should test it monthly. If your unit is battery operated, test the detector weekly and replace the battery at least once a year.
• Know how to respond to a CO detector alarm. If the alarm goes off, turn off appliances, or other sources of combustion at once. Immediately get fresh air into the premises by opening doors and windows. Call a qualified technician and have the problem fixed before restarting appliances.

If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, dizziness, vomiting, call the fire department (911) and immediately move to a location that has fresh air. Do a head count to be sure all persons are accounted for. Do not re-enter the premises until it has been aired out and the problem corrected.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned. It is produced by common household appliances such as gas or oil furnaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, ovens and ranges. According to the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S.A. Making sure furnaces and other potential carbon monoxide sources are properly vented and in good working condition, along with owning a UL listed carbon monoxide detector, could become a matter of life and death.

According to national standards, home carbon monoxide detectors must sound a warning before high carbon monoxide levels are reached. The standard requires the alarm to sound before an average, healthy adult begins to experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The warning provides time to evacuate the premises.

Placement of Detectors

Proper placement of a carbon monoxide detector is important. If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, in order to wake you. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provide extra protection.

Homeowners should remember not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms.

When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air, it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air. For this reason, CO detector manufacturers suggest mounting the detector on the ceiling. This also puts the detector out of the way of potential interference, such as pets or curious children.

Fire is always unexpected. It demands fast decisions followed by quick action in an environment that could be loud, smoke-filled, dark and hot. Every business should have an emergency plan that outlines employee fire response and evacuation routes, prevention tips, drills and other related training.

Each year in the U.S. 70-80,000 serious workplace fires occur. These fires cause the deaths of nearly 200 and injure another 5, 000 employees. It is estimated that property losses from workplace fires exceed $2 billion annually. Most workplace fires can be avoided by adopting an emergency plan that includes workplace fire prevention, employee training and regularly scheduled fire drills.

As a business owner it is your responsibility to write an emergency plan. You are the expert for your building. You know the layout of the workspace, the concerns of your employees and needs of your business. You must write a plan and regularly update it to reflect changes to your business, i.e. relocation to a new building or change in number of employees.

The information in this booklet will assist you in the development of an emergency plan for your business. You will also find fire prevention tips and employee training guidelines. This booklet combined with your knowledge should enable you to write procedures that will protect your business and your employees.

Your business may have additional planning and safety requirements set by the Seattle Fire Code. Visit the Seattle Fire Department’s website, www.seattle.gov/fire for more information.

Develop an Emergency Plan

Getting started
Whether a business owner, an employee or committee is writing the emergency plan, it is important that they have a clear understanding of the facility, employees and business practices. This information will provide a starting point for the development of an emergency plan.

• Identify the fire and life safety systems present—including fire alarm system, smoke detectors, voice alarm system, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, manual pull alarms, and fire doors.
• Consider the building occupants. Are they familiar with the facility or is it a changing population, as in a retail store or restaurant?
• Note any special needs that individuals may have, such as non-English speaking or physical disabilities. Make a list of concerns regarding evacuation routes, guests, and special hazards associated with the business.

Create a map
Design a basic plan for each floor. Indicate the location of all fire exits, manual pull stations, and extinguishing equipment. Post the floor plan throughout the building. Mark YOU ARE HERE according to the location of the posted plan. Then, mark the two closest fire exits. Also, note that elevators must not be used as a fire exit.

Develop evacuation procedures
Train employees to stop what they are doing and evacuate the building whenever the fire alarm sounds. If there is an elevator in the building, employees should be trained to use the stairs during an emergency evacuation.

It is important that employees not only evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds, but also move away from the building to the designated meeting place. This is a where employees can assemble and make a head count in a safe location. The meeting place should be far enough away from the building to keep employees out of the way of firefighting activities and away from falling glass and debris.

Schedule regular employee training
Training employees is the best way to prevent and prepare for the possibility of a fire and should be offered at least once a year. The Seattle Fire Department can provide assistance if you need help planning fire safety training for employees. A number of teaching guides and fire fact sheets have been developed to help prepare and present fire prevention and safety training programs for your employees. All materials can be downloaded from the Seattle Fire Department’s website.

The Seattle Fire Department has also assembled a lending library of videos available to meet your training needs. All training videos are loaned out free of charge to businesses in the City of Seattle.

Conduct fire drills
It is important that everyone fully understands what to do in the event of a fire in the building.

Fire drills can make the difference in helping employees know what to do when a fire occurs. Fire drills should be scheduled and conducted for all shifts and employees. Fire drills may be pre-announced or unannounced. Employees should duplicate as closely as possible the actions they would take if a fire occurred. Fire drills are the best indicator that during a fire emergency, evacuation will go smoothly and successfully.

Update the plan annually
The plan should be reviewed and necessary updates made at least once a year. These changes should reflect any changes to the building/neighborhood, which affect employee evacuation. If changes are made to the evacuation routes it is important to ensure that all employees are notified of the change(s).

Alternate Evacuation Procedures

All employees should understand evacuation procedures for persons who are unable to negotiate exit stairs, especially if clients or guests regularly enter the business. These instructions are also useful for any employee who becomes trapped and can not evacuate the building.

• Persons who can not use stairwells should be instructed to wait near the exit stairwell until everyone has evacuated the floor and traffic in the stairwell has cleared. Then they should enter the stairwell with one or two assistants and wait on the landing. Making certain the door is securely closed and wait for further assistance. The Fire Department will send firefighters to assist if further evacuation is necessary.
• If there are too many individuals to wait on the landing, an area of refuge should be sought on the floor. An area of refuge is a room with a door to protect from smoke, a phone to call 911 and a window to signal for help. It is important to keep the door and window closed to maintain a safe environment for as long as possible.
• Employees should not attempt to carry co-workers down the stairs unless conditions in the stairwell become threatening.

Workplace Fire Prevention If Fire Strikes

• Extension cords can be dangerous. Never run them under carpets, or anywhere they can be pinched under or behind furniture. Avoid overloading electrical sockets and plugging extension cords together.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from anything that can catch fire. Remember to always turn them off at the end of each day. This is especially important of appliances in the kitchen or break room.
• Pay attention to housekeeping issues. Try not to clutter exits, stairways, and storage areas with waste paper, empty boxes, and other fire hazards. If the recycling or garbage receptacles are overflowing contact the waste removal agency to make a collection.
• Designate smoking areas away from combustible pathways or beauty bark. Where smoking is permitted, provide non-combustible receptacles for cigarette ends as distinct from containers for waste.
• Arson is the largest single cause of fires in general office buildings. Keep a watch out for fire hazards (i.e. dry vegetation or lights out) and report any concerns to authorities.
• If you see a fire hazard or have concerns, share them with building management.

Sound the alarm to notify co-workers, no matter how small the fire, and then leave the area quickly. Close, but do not lock, doors as you make your way out of the building.

• Do not use the elevators, head towards the nearest stairwell.
• Make certain your co-workers are evacuating the area. Also make certain that 911 has been called to get help on the way.
• If there is smoke, crawl low underneath it and test doors for heat before you open them. If your primary escape route can’t be used quickly, go to your second exit.
• Once outside, go to the assigned meeting place for your building. Follow the instructions of fire and security personnel. Stay out of the way, and do not go back into the building until they say it is safe.
• One person should be assigned to notify on-scene fire fighters of any persons remaining in the building or otherwise not accounted for.

Fire Extinguishers

The type of fire extinguisher(s) required in your workplace is determined by the type of business and the materials found in the building. Most offices are required by the Seattle Fire Code to have at least one Class 2A fire extinguisher on every floor. They should be placed where people usually walk and in locations that do not make people travel more than 75 feet to reach one. Fire extinguishers must be placed so that they can be easily seen and are easy to reach.

Fire extinguishers must be serviced each year to ensure that, if there is a fire, the extinguisher will work properly. The person who services your fire extinguisher must be certified by the Seattle Fire Department. When the extinguisher technician services your fire extinguisher, they will attach a tag to it to indicate it has been serviced and on what date it is due for its next service.

Remember the P.A.S.S. Word

Properly operated, fire extinguishers can help stop a small fire before it has a chance to grow out of control. There are four basic steps to using a fire extinguisher.

Pull the safety pin by grabbing the ring and twisting.
Aim the hose at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep the hose from side to side while discharging.
& If the fire gets bigger, close the door to slow the spread of heat and smoke and evacuate.

Be Prepared

Training and practice are the best ways to prepare for emergencies. Make certain you know the P.A.S.S. system and understand how to safely use a fire extinguisher before the need ever arises.

• Don’t force yourself to fight a fire that makes you uncomfortable or puts you at risk.
  Always let someone know and make certain 911 has been called before using an extinguisher on a fire.
• Fire extinguishers are small quick fixes. If you are unable to put out the fire with one extinguisher, leave and close the door behind you.
• Don’t let the fire come between you and your exit. Keep your back to the exit and the fire in front of you.

Every 15 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. The major causes of home fire deaths are smoking materials, heating, arson, and children playing with matches and lighters. By paying careful attention to these issues, each of us can share the responsibility of keeping our homes safe from fire.

Protection

Smoke detectors are required to protect the sleeping areas in your home. Tenants are responsible for testing the detectors monthly— push the button on the detector, it should beep loudly. If your smoke detector uses batteries, replace them at least once a year. At the same time, vacuum your detectors to remove cobwebs and dust.

If you notice that exit lights are not lit, are broken or vandalized, notify the manager. Exitways should be kept clear of trash and other obstructions. Self-closing doors—such as those leading into stairwells—should never be blocked open. These doors keep flames and smoke from spreading.

Preparation

If you hear the building alarm, react immediately. Do not wait for instructions to begin evacuation. In a fire, seconds count. If you discover a fire, pull the building alarm to alert others. If you can close doors to confine the fire, do so. Upon evacuating the building, call 911 from a safe location to ensure the fire department is responding. Be prepared to tell them the nature of the emergency, and the address of the building.

If you have special needs that prevent you from exiting the building by the stairwells, ask the building manager if your name and room number can be posted at the fire alarm panel or in the manager’s office, so that fire fighters are made aware of your need for assistance.

Every unit should have a fire escape plan—and practice it. Know at lease two ways out of the building. Feel doors before you open them. If they are hot, do not open them, rather use another exit. Be sure to close all doors as you pass through, including your apartment door. If you encounter smoke, drop to the floor and crawl, as smoke and heat rise.

Choose an outside meeting place outside and well away from the building. That way you will know everyone is out. Fire escape routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire.

For People Who Don’t Use Stairs

During a fire emergency, and any time a fire alarm is ringing, elevators should not be used by residents. To exit the building during a fire alarm, the stairs should be used. If you are unable to use the stairs, you will need to seek an area of refuge on the floor. Likely the safest place for you to seek refuge and wait for assistance is inside your apartment.

If smoke is present, observe the following survival rules.

• Use towels or clothing to block openings around doors or vents where smoke might enter. Put a wet cloth over your mouth and nose.
• If smoke or fire enters your unit, call 911 to report your location. Stay low to the floor to breathe the best air.
• It is not advisable to open or break windows. Often smoke from the outside of the building can enter through open windows. Breaking windows will put you at great risk to smoke entering from the outside, and will hamper rescue efforts below.

Candles have become a popular decoration in our homes. The wide variety of colors, shapes and scents have helped candle sales become a several billion dollar a year industry. Each year, candle misuse causes approximately 23,600 residential fires in the United States and results in $390 million in damage.

A Growing Concern

The growing number of candle fires are a concern for fire departments across the country. The number of home fires caused by candles has been soaring in recent years and jumped a startling 20 percent from 1998 to 1999 according to the National Fire Protection Association.

How does such a little flame become so dangerous? Misuse. Candle fire most commonly occur when the candles are left unattended or something that catches fire easily is left too close to the flame.

Rules to Follow

Follow these basic rules to prevent a fire from starting in your home:

• Always keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
• Always use a candle holder specifically designed for candle use. the holder should be heat resistant, sturdy and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
• Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, flammable decorations, etc..
• Read and carefully follow all manufacturer instructions. Do not burn a candle longer than the manufacturer recommends.
• Extinguish pillar and taper candles when they burn to within two inches of the holder. Discontinue burning votive and container candles before the last half inch of wax melts.

Built-in Safety

Make sure your home has these safety features to help keep you safe.

Smoke Alarms

All homes should be equipped with working smoke detectors. There should be at least one on every level of the home. Battery powered smoke detectors should be tested every month, and batteries changed at least once a year. If you live in an apartment, it is your responsibility to maintain your smoke detectors, while your landlord is responsible for providing working smoke detectors when you move in.

Smoke Alarms

All homes should be equipped with working smoke detectors. There should be at least one on every level of the home. Battery powered smoke detectors should be tested every month, and batteries changed at least once a year. If you live in an apartment, it is your responsibility to maintain your smoke detectors, while your landlord is responsible for providing working smoke detectors when you move in.

Fire Extinguishers

Properly operated, fire extinguishers can help stop a small fire before it has a chance to grow out of control. Home fire extinguishers can be purchased from a hardware or home improvement store.

Evacuation Plan

Every family should develop and practice a home escape plan that includes every member of the household.

Remember, even with these safety features, prevention is still the best strategy! Stop fires before they start.

Home Fire Safety Word Search (English/Spanish) – Activity sheet for young children containing fire-related words and phrases in a word search puzzle.

Home Fire Safety Questions and Answers (English/Spanish) – Activity sheet for young children containing fire-related question and answer match game.

Home Fire Safety Escape Maze (English/Spanish) – Activity sheet for young children containing a maze in which to escape from fire.

Home Fire Safety Escape Plan Diagram (English/Spanish) – Activity sheet for young children containing a space to draw a fire escape plan for their home.

Home Fire Safety Coloring Book (English/Spanish) Four fire safety-related pictures for children to color.

Sesame Street Fire Safety Station Color and Learn (English) Fire safety coloring book for families.

Sesame Street Fire Safety Station Color and Learn (Spanish) – Fire safety coloring book for families.

Let’s Have Fun with Fire Safety: Marty and Jett’s Activity Book – This activity book provides children with valuable learning tools about fire safety and prevention.  Activities include coloring pages, connect the dots, word searches, and escape plan mazes.

Fire Safety Tips: Cooking

• When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep towels, pot holders, curtains, and paper products away from the stove.
• Keep the stove and oven clean to prevent grease build-up.
• If a cooking fire starts, smother it with a pot lid. Never throw water on a grease fire.
• Heat oil slowly to avoid splattering. Be extra careful when frying foods.
• When cooking in a microwave, do not use metal objects or aluminum foil (they could start a fire).
• If a fire starts in the microwave, keep the door closed.
• Check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave your house to be sure all appliances are turned off.
• Get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Make a fire escape plan and practice it monthly.

Cooking Fire Facts

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States.
• Cooking is the leading cause of home fire injuries.
• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires.
• Between 1999 and 2002, cooking fires caused about 290 deaths and 4,380 injuries each year.

All U.S. homes – including college dorms and fraternity and sorority houses – should have working smoke alarms.
Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!

• Know and practice your building’s fire escape plan.
• If the alarm sounds, get out right away. Never ignore an alarm.
• If the door is hot, don’t open it. If the door is not hot, open it carefully and check for smoke or fire.
• During a fire, don’t stop to gather your stuff or look for other people.
• As you leave, knock on doors and shout “FIRE!”
• If you can’t get out of your room, yell and shout, and hang a sheet from the window.
• Never tamper with smoke alarms, fire alarms, or sprinklers. Don’t prop open stairways or fire doors.
• Don’t overload outlets or extension cords.
• Never walk away from cooking. Use cooking appliances correctly.
• Don’t smoke if you’re tired or you’ve been drinking. Never smoke in bed.
• Keep halogen lamps away from anything that can burn.
• Put out candles and incense if you leave the room or go to bed.

College Dorm Fire Facts

• Cooking is the leading cause of fire injuries on college campuses, followed closely by careless smoking and arson.
• Misuse of cooking appliances, overloaded electrical circuits, and extension cords increase the risk of fires.
• Alcohol is often a factor in fatal fires on college campuses.
• The number of fires in college dorms has not dropped as quickly as other types of structure fires.