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Fire Prevention History

The Great Chicago Fire

The history of National Fire Prevention Week has it roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. The origin of the fire has generated speculation since its occurrence, with the fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend has it that Mrs O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze. How ever the massive fire began, it swiftly took its toll, burning more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. The city of Chicago quickly rebuilt, however, and within a couple of years residents began celebrating their successful restoration to memorialize the anniversary of the fire with festivities.

Intending to observe the fire's anniversary with a more serious commemoration, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA), the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), decided that the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.

When President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week, October 4 - 10 1925, he noted that in the previous year some 15,000 lives were lost to fire in the United States. Calling the loss "startling", President Coolidge's proclamation stated, "This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented... It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth".

NFPA continues today to make National Fire Prevention Week a priority and counts on the participation and efforts of tens of thousands of fire and safety professionals, emergency volunteers, and other individuals working to reduce the risk of fire and the toll it takes on our society.

 

 

Fire Prevention Children Activities

Dear Parents,

We are learning about community helpers. Try doing the following
activities to help your child learn more about the firefighter and fire safety.

FIRE DRILL

Make a plan for getting out of your home in case of fire and establish a safe place outside for everyone to meet. Practice following your plan with your child on a regular basis. At the end of your fire drill, have your child show how he or she would get help by pretending to run to a neighbor’s house and dialing 9-1-1.

FIREFIGHTER HATS

For each child, use plain newsprint (or newspaper) to make a folded paper hat. Secure all loose edges with tape. Let the children use crayons or felt-tip markers to color their hats red. Fold back one corner of each hat and staple it in place. Then attach a yellow construction paper badge shape on which you have written a numeral of the child’s choice. Variation: For each child, trim a large piece of red construction paper into an oval shape. Then use the oval to make a head size version of the firefighter finger puppet hat.

FIREFIGHTER FINGER PUPPETS

Let each of the children make one or more firefighter finger puppet hats. For each hat, give a child an oval shape (about 2 inches long) cut from white constructionpaper. Let the child use a crayon to color both sides of the oval red. Cut out a finger hole, as indicated by the dotted line in the illustration, and fold as indicated by the solid line. Use a black felt tip marker to add a numeral of the child’s choice to the hat. Draw a face on the child’s finger as shown and top the finger with the child’s firefighter hat.

Encourage the children to manipulate their puppets while singing songs or telling stories.

Fire Prevention Badges

Cut badge shapes out of white index cards. Let the children decorate their badges with colored felt tip markers or crayons. Use a black tip marker to write one of these sayings on each child’s badge.

"(Child’s Name)" does not play with matches or lighters

"(Child’s Name)" knows how to stop, drop and roll.

"(Child’s Name)" knows how to dial 9-1-1

FIRE TRUCK SCENES

Help the children make fire truck scenes. For each scene, give a child a small house shape and a fire truck shape cut from construction paper. Let the child glue his or her shapes on a plastic foam food tray. When the glue has dried, have the child use felt tip markers to draw smoke and flames coming out of his house. Make a hose for the fire truck by wrapping a small piece of masking tape around one end of a pipe cleaner. Poke the other end through the fire truck shape and secure it with tape to the back of the tray. Let the child wiggle the hose and pretend to put out the fire in the house.

MILK CARTON FIRE ENGINE

 

  1. Open container top

  2. Cut container top on three sides -- separate

  3. Cut half way into container

  4. Make two folds -- tape or glue down

  5. Cover the milk carton with paper and have the children design their own fire truck

  6. Illustration

CARDBOARD CARTON FIRE ENGINE

Select a rectangular cardboard carton, like the one in the illustration, to use for making a fire engine. Cut the bottom out of the carton with a craft knife. Open out the two long top flaps. Cut square holes in them as shown to make the flaps into "ladders". Let the children paint the ladders white and the rest of the carton red. When the paint has dried, attach two small yellow paper plates for headlights and four large black paper plates for wheels. Cut holes for handles in the front and the back of the fire engine. Add a section of garden hose to hang out the back hole. Let the children take turns climbing inside the fire engine and driving it to imaginary fire scenes.

STOP, DROP AND ROLL

Each time you have a fire drill, talk with the children about how they should "STOP, DROP AND ROLL" if their clothes catch on fire. Clear a large area in the room or take the children outside to a grassy area. Have the children start walking or running in place. At a given signal, have them stop what they are doing, drop to the floor or ground and roll over and over until the pretend flames are out.
 

Exit Drills In The Home

EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME
In 1995, 3640 Americans died in home fires. That's roughly 10 people a day. Tens of thousands more were injured. People can survive even major fires in their homes if they are alerted to the fire and get out quickly and stay out.

HOW TO SURVIVE
Install smoke detectors and keep them in working order. Make an escape plan and "practice" it. Consider installing an automatic fire-sprinkler system.

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE
Once a fire has started, there is no time to plan how to get out. Sit down with your family today, and make a step-by-step plan for escaping a fire.

Draw a floor Plan of your Home, marking two ways out of every room - especially sleeping areas. Discuss the escape routes with every member of your household.

Agree on a Meeting Place, where every member of the household will gather outside your home after escaping a fire to wait for the fire department. This allows you to count heads and inform the fire department if anyone is missing or trapped inside the burning building.

Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Have a fire drill in your home. Appoint someone to be the monitor, and have everyone participate. A fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly, but carefully.

MAKE YOUR EXIT DRILL REALISTIC
Pretend that some exits are blocked by fire, and practice alternative escape routes, Pretend that the lights are out and that some escape routes are filling with smoke.

Be Prepared
Make sure everyone in the household can unlock all doors and windows quickly, even in the dark. Windows or doors with security bars need to be equipped with quick-release devices, and everyone in the household should know how to use them.

If you live in an apartment building, use stairways to escape. NEVER use an elevator during a fire. It may stop between floors or take you to a floor where the fire is burning. Some high-rise buildings may have evacuation plans that require you to stay where you are and wait for the fire department.

If you live in a multi-story house and you must escape from an upper story window, be sure there is a safe way to reach the ground, such as a fire-resistant fire escape ladder. Make special arrangements for children, older adults and people with disabilities. People who have difficulty moving should have a phone in their sleeping area and , if possible, should sleep on the ground floor.

Test doors before opening them.
While kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and with the back of your hand touch the door, the knob, and the crack between the door and its frame. If you feel any warmth at all, use another escape route. If the door feels cool, open it with caution. Put your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. Be prepared to slam it shut if there is smoke or flames on the other side.

If you are trapped, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a window and signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a light colored cloth. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report exactly where you are.

GET OUT FAST . . .
In case of a fire, don't stop for anything. Do not try to rescue possessions or pets. Go directly to your meeting place, and then call the fire department from a neighbor's phone, a portable phone, or an alarm box. Every member of your household should know how to call the fire department.

Crawl low under smoke.
Smoke contains deadly gases, and heat rises. During a fire, cleaner air will be near the floor. If you encounter smoke when using your primary exit, use an alternative escape route. If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 - 60 centimeters) above the floor.

. . . and stay out
Once you are out of your home, don't go back for any reason. If people are trapped, the firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them. The heat and smoke of a fire are overpowering. Firefighters have the training, experience, and protective equipment needed to enter burning buildings.

Play IT Safe
Smoke Detectors. More than half of all fatal home fires happen at night while people are asleep. Smoke detectors sound an alarm when a fire starts, waking people before they are trapped or overcome by smoke. With smoke detectors, your risk of dying in a home fire is cut nearly in half. Install smoke detectors outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement. Follow installation instructions carefully, and test smoke detectors monthly. Change all smoke detector batteries at least once a year. If your detector is more than 10 years old, replace it with a new one.

Automatic fire-sprinkler systems.
These systems attack a fire in its early stages by spraying water only on the area where the fire has begun. Consider including sprinkler systems in plans for new construction and installing them in existing homes.

NOW, use what you've learned,
SET UP YOUR PLAN, including two ways out, a meeting place and
CONDUCT A PRACTICE DRILL to determine if anything has been overlooked.
EVERYONE in the household NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE for it to be successful.
It may SAVE YOUR LIFE.

 

 

 

CHECK YOUR HOME: What to Check For
THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME

It's worth walking into every room of your house specifically to check for fire risks. If you go looking for dangers, you might be surprised by how many you find.



Overloaded socketOverloaded plugs
Fit one plug per socket unless you use a bar adapter on a lead. Don't plug appliances into the adapter that use more than 13 amps of current altogether. See electrics for more information.





Electric cables
Check for worn or taped up cables or leads. These can be dangerous so you should replace them. Don't put cables under carpets or mats where they can become worn.
LIVING ROOM FIRES
Every year 200 people die and 2,000 people are injured in fires that start in the living room.



Dangerous wiring
Watch out for hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no obvious reason, flickering lights, scorch marks on sockets or plugs. They're all signs of loose wiring or other problems.



Child playing with lighterMatches and lighters
Keep matches and lighters where children can't reach them.









Lights
Make sure lights aren't positioned near curtains and other materials that could burn.



Is your upholstered furniture fire-resistant?
If your upholstered furniture was made before 1988 then it's not fire-resistant, it can be set alight easily and it will produce clouds of poisonous smoke. Make sure you check the label to be sure.


Has your chimney been swept?
If you have an open fire, make sure you sweep your chimney once a year.

Checking cigarettes are out Ashtrays
If someone smokes in your house, use proper ashtrays and make sure they can't be knocked over easily. Avoid a build-up of ash, butts and used matches. Wet the contents of the ashtray before putting it in the bin.




Inflammables
Don't keep inflammable materials, like solvents (such as some glues or aerosols) or paraffin, in direct sunlight or near a heat source. If you're using something inflammable, make sure the room is well ventilated, and don't light a flame nearby.



Gas fires and carbon monoxide poisoning
Each year, around 7 people die from gas-related fires or explosions and about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others suffer ill health. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances/equipment safely and tells them what to do in an emergency

 

 

In the Kitchen
Make sure electrical leads don't trail over or go near the cooker.
Don't hang tea towels or cloths on or over the cooker.
Unattended grill smokingKeep the oven, hob and grill clean. A build-up of fat and bits of food can start a fire.
Is the kettle leaking? This can be dangerous.
Check the toaster is clean and well away from curtains.
Electrical appliances - especially those that work at high speeds, such as the washing machine - should be serviced each year.
Plant pot overflowing on fridgeDon't let cables or plugs get wet. Keep liquids away from electrical appliances.
Make sure your ventilation is working properly and not blocked up, especially if you have a gas cooker.

 

 

IN THE LIVING ROOM


Heater 3ft safety zoneMake sure any portable heater is positioned safely, preferably by a wall and facing in to the room. Keep it away from furniture or soft furnishings, and don't use it to dry clothes.





Has the chimney been swept? If you have an open fire, the chimney should be swept each year.




Check your furniture is fire-resistant. If it was made before 1988 then it's not fire-resistant, it can be set alight easily and it will produce clouds of poisonous smoke. Fire resistant furniture will have a permanent label so you can check to be sure.





Is there are mirror over the fire or heater? It's a dangerous position, because people looking closely at themselves in the mirror can set their clothing alight.




Make sure your ventilation is working properly and not blocked up, especially if you have a gas fire.

 

 

IN THE BEDROOM

Don't use candles as nightlights.





Damaged electric blanketCheck your electric blanket and its flex for fraying, scorch marks, dampness and loose connections. Make sure it's not creased or folded as that can damage the internal wiring and cause overheating. Check it has an overheat protector, which will cut out the power if it overheats. Electric blankets should be replaced after 10 years, and you can have it tested for free in many parts of the country.





Heater 3ft safety zoneMake sure any portable heater is positioned safely, preferably by a wall and facing the room. Keep it away from furniture or soft furnishings.

 

 

Dangerous Mistakes

Just because you've done something for years doesn't make it safe. Here are some simple, ordinary and dangerous habits.



Smoker asleep in chairSmoking in bed
Every year people fall asleep smoking and start a fire. They're often killed. It's also dangerous to smoke when you're feeling sleepy or if you've been drinking.




Leaving cigarettes burning
Cigarettes burn at up to 700oC, and they can start fires extremely quickly.



Child playing with lighterLetting children reach matches and lighters
Children find matches and lighters irresistible. Every year thousands of fires are started by young children.





Candles melting bath surroundUnderestimating the risk of candles
Candles should be put in a proper holder that won't fall over. They need to be on a heat-resistant surface, especially if they're tea lights.

It's never a good idea to leave candles burning in a room without anyone there. Extinguish them carefully, and make sure they're completely out.

 


Overfilled chip panOverfilling chip pans
It's dangerous to fill them more than a third full. If the oil starts to smoke don't put food in - leave the pan to cool. Make sure the food you're cooking is dry.

Every week nearly 90 people are injured by chip pan fires.

 


Saucepan in flames Leaving saucepans unattended
If you're called away from the cooker, don't leave pans on the heat. It's the easiest thing in the world to forget about them.

Turn handles so they don't stick out.




Heater 3ft safety zoneGetting too close to heaters and fires
It's dangerous to sit nearer than one metre (three feet) from a heater or open fire. Put drying clothes a safe distance from heaters or fires - at least a metre. Don't dry clothes on heaters or fire guards. Also, avoid putting a portable heater where it can be knocked over.

 

 

Choosing Fire Safety Equipment for your Home

 Introduction:
Smoke alarmSmoke Detectors are essential for every home, however you may feel that you need extra fire safety equipment, perhaps because you live in a remote area. The following section provides information on choosing fire safety equipment.




postion of smoke alarms












Fire blanket:
Fire blanketThese are light weight sheets of fire-resistant material, which are used to cover a fire to cut off its oxygen supply of to wrap around a person whose clothes are on fire.

A blanket should meet British Standard BS EN 1869.

The best place for a fire blanket is in the kitchen.









Fire extinguisher:
It's a good idea to have a fire extinguisher, kept mounted on the wall in an easily accessible position. If a small fire starts and you have time to deal with it without putting yourself at risk, an extinguisher will enable you to put it out quickly and effectively.

But make sure you know how to use the extinguisher and that you use the right sort of extinguisher depending on the kind of fire.

If you're not sure, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service for advice.





Sprinklers:
SprinklerA home sprinkler system can give you powerful extra protection. It will stop a fire before it takes hold.



 

Be Prepared

There are few things you can do around your home so that you'd react quicker if a fire did break out.

Keep escape routes clear
Blocked corridorDon't block the corridor, door or window that you might need to use in a hurry if you had to escape a fire.








Keys hanging upKeep keys in the same place
Imagine the panic if you couldn't find your front door keys with a fire blazing in your home. Always keep keys to doors and windows in the same place, and make sure everyone knows where they are kept.






Write down the emergency number 999 and your home address for children
999 note by phonePut a reminder by the phone so that if they have to call for help, they'll be able to do so even if they forget what number they should call.
They'll also be able to tell the Fire and Rescue Service where you live.



 

Before Bed Routine

Half of the deaths in home fires take place between 10pm and 8am. That's why it's important to check your home before you go to bed.

Switch off and unplug appliances
Only leave on those appliances that are designed to be left on, like some video recorders.



Check the cooker
Make sure the grill, hobs and oven are all turned off.



Don't leave the washing machine on
Or the tumble drier or dishwasher. Their high speed of operation, friction and motors mean they can be a fire risk.



Turn heaters off
And put a guard in front of an open fire.



Person leaving a lit candle in roomCheck candles
They can go on smouldering and set off a fire. Double-check they're out. Never leave one burning when you go to sleep.







Person smoking asleep in chairPut cigarette ends right out
Make sure cigarettes and pipes are out, wetting them to be sure. Never smoke in bed where you could accidently fall asleep or catch fire to bedding.







Blocked escape routeCheck the escape route
It should be clear of obstacles (and make sure the keys are where they're meant to be).








Close doors
Closed doors slow down the spread of a fire.



Turn off your electric blanket
Unless you're absolutely sure it can be left on safely, for example if it has a thermostat that is designed to be left on.

 

 

 

 

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL FIREWORKS ARE DANGEROUS!
bulletIn case of fire go to your neighbor’s home to call.
bulletTeach your children how to get emergency help.
bulletEven sparklers, which burn as hot as 1200 degrees F (649 C), cause thousands of injuries to children each year.
bulletAttend professional displays and leave fireworks to the technicians who are trained to use them.
PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WILDFIRE USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY
bulletCreate a safety zone around your home by clearing flammable vegetation.
bulletKeep your roof clear of leaves and needles.
bulletDiscuss community fire safety with your neighbors.
bulletDon’t overload extension cords or run them under rugs.
bulletReplace any cord that is cracked or frayed. If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it and have it repaired by a professional.
bulletUse the proper size fuses in your fuse box.
STORE ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN AN APPROVED SAFETY CONTAINER OUTSIDE THE HOME ENJOY A SAFE HOLIDAY
bulletUse it as a motor fuel only, not for cleaning.
bulletWater your Christmas tree daily and be sure it is placed away from exits and heat sources.
bulletMake sure holiday lights are labeled by an approved testing laboratory and in good condition.
CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE SECURITY BARS ON WINDOWS CAN TRAP YOU IN A FIRE
bulletIf you encounter smoke on your way out of a fire, use your second way out instead.
bulletIf you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
bulletUse bars which have a quick release mechanism that everyone in the family can operate.



FIRE WON’T WAIT, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE STOP, DROP, AND ROLL
bulletHave an escape plan that includes two ways out of each room and a meeting place outside the home.
bulletPractice it with the whole family at least twice a year.
bulletIf your clothes catch on fire, stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands and roll over and over to smother the flames.


COOL A BURN SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE
bulletIf someone gets burned, place the wound in cool water for 10 - 15 minutes.
bulletIf the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately. Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120 degrees F (49 C) or below.
bulletKeep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet (1m) from anything that can burn.
bulletNever leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed and keep children and pets well away form them.


WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES MATCHES OR LIGHTERS CAN BE DEADLY IN THE HANDS OF A CHILD
bulletInstall them on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area.
bulletTest them monthly and install new batteries.
bulletUse child resistant lighters.
bulletStore all matches and lighters up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.