Some of the basic dos and don’ts that one should keep in mind to avoid such crisis scenarios in residential societies.
- Never leave food unattended on a stove. Keep cooking areas free of flammable objects. Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking. Also, supervise young children whenever they’re near cooking surfaces.
- Never smoke in bed or leave burning cigarettes unattended. Do not empty smouldering ashes in a trash can, and keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains.
- Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Keep all matches and lighters out of reach of children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you. If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home. Test all the smoke alarms once every month to ensure that they work properly.
- Use long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons, which allow persons to stop false alarms quickly. If long-life alarms are not available, use regular alarms, and replace the batteries annually.
- Devise a family fire escape plan and practice it every 6 months. In the plan, describe at least two different ways each family member can escape every room, and designate a safe place in front of the home for family members to meet after escaping a fire.
- Don’t overload sockets. Try to keep to one plug per socket. Too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket can overload it, which can lead to overheating. Electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can also be a real danger.
- Use candles carefully. Candles, decorative lights and decorations are a growing cause of fires. Make sure candles are secured in a stable holder and kept away from curtains, fabrics and paper. Always make it a point to put candles out when you are leaving the room or going to bed.
Pooja Vora
Published Date: Jun 30, 2012
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/story.aspx?id=21016&boxid=26617814&ed_date=2012-6-30&ed_code=820013&ed_page=4
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