Michael H. Bradshaw, Home fire and burn safety, Kansas State University, July 1996

Bradshaw, Michael H.

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From 1990-95, Kansas had 22,455 residential fires.This equates to a residential fire every two hours andtwenty minutes. There were 249 home fire deaths duringthis time, with children under ten years old  accountingfor fifty of those deaths. There were 1,191 home fireinjuries, with children under ten years old accounting for124 injuries. In addition to loss of life and suffering fromfire burns, Kansans suffered $195.5 million in lossesfrom residential fires.Can anything be done to reduce these deaths andinjuries?Yes! Families can recognize how home fires start,make plans to reduce the risks of home fires, and conductfamily fire drills.What is the cause of Kansas home fires? Cookingis the leading cause of fire with 13 percent of the homefires. The next classification is incendiary/suspiciousfires at 12 percent. These fires are believed to be causedby arson. Home heating fires are next at 11 percent,followed by open flames at 7 percent. Smoking is thecause of another 7 percent of fires, followed by childrenplaying at 6 percent.Fire preventionNearly all home fires can be prevented. Families can re-duce fire risks by following a few rules of fire safety.•  Matches and lighters: Keep all matches and lighters outof children’s sight and reach. Children are fascinated withflames, whether from candles, fireplaces, or cigarettelighting.•  Smoking: Never smoke when you are sleepy or in bed.When guests who smoke leave your home, check forsmoldering ashes or cigarettes in sofas or chairs. Keeplarge ashtrays available for your smoking guests and neverdump hot cigarette ashes into trash cans where fires canstart. Some families store ashtrays in the kitchen sinkovernight instead of emptying them right into the trash.•  Wiring: Don’t overload outlets or run wires or extensioncords under rugs, behind radiators, through door jams oracross walkways. A rule of thumb is to limit the use ofplugs in outlets to three. Worn cords, fixtures, and blownfuses are a warning that there may be trouble.Child Safety SeriesHome Fire andBurn SafetyCooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University, Manhattan•  Combustible liquids: Combustible liquids should be storedoutdoors in a cool place out of reach of children. Storingany amount of gas indoors is asking for trouble. Gaso-line and other combustibles expand, causing fumes toescape and spread throughout the house until they reachan open flame such as the pilot light in your water heater,furnace, or oven.•  Heating equipment: Many home fires can be traced todefective or improperly operated or installed heatingequipment. Furnaces, fireplaces, and portable heatingdevices should be checked yearly to see that they are op-erating properly. Use screens and shields to prevent firesfrom starting.•  Trash: A quick check of the attic, basement, and storageareas in and around the home will reveal any excess trashthat should be removed. Oily rags and other highly flam-mable substances should be stored in covered metal con-tainers.•  Cooking equipment: Most fire hazards in the kitchen areassociated with either cooking or careless use of the kitchenrange. Children should be kept away from the range; careshould be taken that there are no grease buildups.Fire escape plans The time to prepare for fire survival is before a fire—notafter. It’s one thing to know about fire safety and survival; it’sanother to perform under the stress of an actual fire.Think of every possible fire situation and how you wouldescape. (Incidentally, that’s a good habit to continue awayfrom home, in hotels, theaters, and other buildings.)Develop a fire escape plan for your family and teach it toeveryone. Practice it over and over, and be sure babysittersknow what to do in cases of fire.• Every bedroom should have two possible escape routes.• Sleep with bedroom doors closed to keep out toxic smokeand gases.• When the fire alarm sounds or if fire is suspected in an-other part of the house, feel the door. If the door is hotdon’t open it. Use the window escape route.• Teach your children to crawl close to the floor to escapesmoke.• Take short breaths and cover your nose and mouth with adamp cloth, if possible.Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.• Meet at the preplanned point. Do not go back into thehouse except to save a life. Call the fire department froma neighbor’s house.A good fire escape plan involves the use of certain equip-ment:• Properly installed, functional smoke alarms• Flashlights (one in the bedroom, too)• Folding ladders for upper floors• Fire extinguishers for small firesSmoke detectors Smoke detectors signal the presence of fire and auto-matically sound a warning. Many fires start at night, mak-ing early warning even more crucial.Two kinds of detectors are usually sold for use in homes:Ionization detectors: Ionization units usually offer theearliest warning of fast-burning fires. They respond to thewispy, flaming fires. New models can be fine-tuned to pre-vent over-sensitivity. These alarms often allow several ex-tra seconds in alarm time.Photoelectric detectors: Photoelectric units use a lightsource and an electric eye. When smoke enters the cham-ber, the photocell notes the difference and triggers the alarm.Generally, the photoelectric detector will respond faster tosmall amounts of smoke from a smoldering fire but couldignore flaring fires with less visible smoke. Since manyhome fires are of the first type, this alarm becomes impor-tant in areas where smokers may leave smoldering ciga-rettes.Combination models: There are a few combination ion-ization and photoelectric alarms on the market. Some fireresearchers suggest two separate alarms may offer more“fail safe” protection.Electrical with battery backup: The electrical detectorwith a battery backup gives added protection. There is achance when the power goes out that a fire could start inyour home. Lightning can knock out power and start a fire.The battery backup will provide the warning necessary fortimes when there is no electricity.Location and installation The purpose of smoke detectors is to wake you from adeep sleep if a fire should start. Therefore, install at leastone detector per floor near the bedroom area. Install a de-tector in a centrally located hall of a small, one-story home;use two units for a large, sprawling home, especially if bed-rooms are in separate parts of the house. Install a unit at thehead of stairs. Ceiling locations offer the quickest, surest,fire detection. As an alternative, install on a wall as recom-mended by the manufacturer. Avoid outside walls as coldand hot temperatures may interfere with a detector’s effi-ciency. Also avoid damp, humid, dusty, and insect-infestedareas as locations for your detectors.Many fire protection authorities suggest one ionization andone photoelectric detector may offer minimal basic protec-tion for each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer’s sug-gestions for installation. Plug-in types must not be pluggedinto a switch-controlled circuit. Use the plug’s special hold-down clip to prevent children (and adults) from unpluggingthe unit and forgetting to plug it in again.Put the alarm closer to adults than children since chil-dren are often deep sleepers. If anyone is a light sleeper,put the alarm closest to this bedroom.MaintenanceTest the unit after installation as suggested by the manu-facturer. All family members need to recognize the alarmsound. Some photoelectric detectors should be vacuumedand filters cleaned as directed. Check for and remove in-sects that have crawled into the detector housing. Theirpresence can cause false alarms. Some models have built-in filters to reduce the need for cleaning the sensing cham-bers.Check the operation of the detector once a week. Somemodels provide a test button or lever; others require thatsmoke from a cigarette or a snuffed candle be blown intothe unit. Plug-in units should be tested after lightning stormsto make sure that a lightning-caused voltage surge has notdamaged the detector.Fire extinguishers Families should have at least one fire extinguishermounted in a centrally located area of the house. A goodtype would be a 21/2-pound or larger, multipurpose, drychemical extinguisher that can be used on grease, electri-cal, or common combustible fires. Family members shouldbe taught how and when to use extinguishers.DiningRoomKitchen Bedroom BedroomLivingRoom BedroomIn a floor plan with only onesleeping area, place the smokedetector between the sleepingarea and the rest of the house.Another detector near the rearbedrooms would offer moreprotection.BedroomBedroom BedroomLivingRoomDiningRoomBedroomBedroom Kitchen BedroomIn homes with more than onesleeping area, install a smokedetector for each sleeping area.Smoke from a lower level willtravel up the stairwell.Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.Fire needs three ingredients to burn: fuel (grease, paper,wood, etc.), oxygen, and heat. A small fire such as an ig-nited pan of grease can be extinguished by closing off theoxygen by placing a lid over the pan. Other fires can beextinguished by cooling the combustibles to extinguish thefire, such as using water on a paper fire. Electrical firesshould be smothered, by removing the oxygen, using achemical.The person who is faced with a fire in the home shouldstay calm, see that all family members have been evacu-ated, and determine if the fire can be extinguished withouthelp from the fire department. If the person decides to ex-tinguish the fire, care should be taken to avoid being over-come by smoke. When using an extinguisher the operatorshould remove the safety pin and direct the current of theretardant toward the base of the flame. Families may wantto rehearse use of fire extinguishers in conjunction withevacuation drills.A system of fire classification has been devised to helppeople know how to extinguish fires. Class A fires consistof ordinary combustible materials: wood, paper, and tex-tiles, which can be extinguished by cooling and quench-ing. Class B includes fires of flammable liquids, such asgrease, gasoline, oils, and paints, which can best be extin-guished by smothering. Class C fires are electrical and re-quire a nonconducting agent capable of extinguishing a firein material which may cause electrical shock.A variety of fire extinguishers are available for homeuse. A multipurpose, dry chemical extinguisher containsseveral different types of flame-retardant chemicals tosmother “A,” “B,” and “C” fires. Some multipurpose ex-tinguishers are listed as “1A-10B-C.” A multipurpose ex-tinguisher is recommended for home use.Burn safetyFire is not the only source of burns. Hot liquids, chemi-cals, and electrical currents can burn an unaware child.Many of these accidents can be prevented with a few safetyprecautions. Following these safety steps can help insure asafe and protected environment for your child.• Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahr-enheit. Always check the bath water before bathing achild. A child’s skin will burn more easily than the skinof an adult.•  Keep hot foods and drinks away from the edges ofcounters and tables. Do not put them on a tablecloth thatlittle hands can pull.•  Turn pot handles in towards the back of the stove. Usethe rear burners whenever possible. Install stove knobcovers.•  Tie up loose and dangling appliance cords, and use elec-trical outlet covers.•  Use only safety matches and keep them out of sight.•  Do not hold your baby and some thing hot at the sametime.•  Always test your child’s heated food and bottles. Foodheated in a microwave can cause serious burns.•  Never leave children alone in the bath tub. Small handscan turn on hot water.First aidMinor burns•  Cool the burn immediately in water for at least 15 min-utes.•  Cover the burn with clean gauze.•  Avoid using butter or creams; these will only hold theheat in and aggravate the burn.Serious, substantial burns•  Call 911 or your local ambulance.•  Lie the child down.•  Treat the child for shock.•  Do not remove clothing; the burned skin can stick to it.Electrical burns•  Turn off the power source and move the child away fromit with rubber or wood.•  Call 911 or your local ambulance service.•  If the child is not breathing, call an ambulance and beginCPR.ObjectivesAfter studying the contents of this fact sheet, the familymembers should be able to:•  Recognize common fire hazards in the home.•  Design an emergency escape plan for a home or apart-ment.Bedroom Bedroom KitchenDining Living RoomBedroom BedroomBedroomBedroomHallHallIn a mobile home, detectorsshould be installed on the ceilingor interior wall. Avoid exteriorwalls that may become cold inwinter. Detectors near bedroomsare recommended first; a unit inthe living room would offeradditional protection.If a fire warning system is notprovided in the apartment, installa system between the bedroomand living areas. A battery-operated unit could be installedeasily in an apartment.Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.•  Describe the features and placement of smoke detectors?•  Select a fire extinguisher for the home.Discussion questions1. What are the most common causes of house fires andwhy?2. What are some basic things we can do to prevent fires inour home?3. What are the basic features of a good fire escape plan?4. What type of fire extinguisher do you need for yourhome?Cooperative Extension ServiceKansas State UniversityManhattan, KansasMF-644 Revised July  1996Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils,Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Richard D. Wootton, Associate Director. All educational programs andmaterials available without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.File: Safety—4 JR 7-96—10MFire and burn safety checklist______ Do you or a member of your family smoke whensleepy or in bed?______ Are there any electrical outlets serving more thanthree appliances?______ Do you have any extension cords that are frayed,under rugs, behind radiators too lightweight fortheir use?______ Are there any unexplained electrical problems thathave not been checked by an electrician (blownfuses, faulty outlets, defective appliances motors)?______ Do the cooks in the family wear loose-fitting cloth-ing while cooking that could catch fire, or do theyturn pot handles outward where children can reachthem?______ Is there a buildup of grease on walls near the kitchenrange?______ Are any combustible liquids stored in the home orgarage?______ Does anyone use flammable cleaning fluids suchas gasoline, turpentine kerosene in the home?Fire evacuation______ Do you have a smoke detector outside or inside thesleeping area of your home?______ Does each member of the family have two escaperoutes from his or her other bedroom?______ Does your family hold frequent fire drills, includ-ing some at night, so everyone will know what todo if there is a fire?______ Has a meeting place been set so all members of thefamily will know where to meet if there is a fire?Burn safety______ Is your hot water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit? (Checkit with a candy, meat, or water thermometer.)______ Do you keep hot food and drinks away from theedges of counters and tables?______ Do the cooks in the family turn pot handles in to-ward the back of the stove and use the rear burnerswhenever possible?Kansas Fire InjuryPrevention ProjectProduced by the Office of Injuryand Disability Prevention,Bureau of Chronic Disease andHealth Promotion, KansasDepartment of Health andEnvironment, which is funded, inpart, by Project Grant #U17/CCU711079 01 #483, Fire/Burn,Kansas Fire Injury PreventionProject, Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention.ReferencesHome Fire Safety, Dorothy G. Blackwell, Extension Spe-cialist, Home Management, Oklahoma State University. Be Fire Smart, Insurance Information Institute. New York,New York 10038, 1981.Community First Aid and Safety, The American NationalRed Cross. Mosby Lifeline, St. Louis, Mo., 1993.Prepared by Michael H. Bradshaw, Extension Specialist,Health and Safety, Kansas State University.(Make a check by those items you answer “yes” to and plan to correctthe deficiency immediately.)Fire safetyOutdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete.

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