Dangers of FireDangers of Fire

• AsphyxiationAsphyxiation

• HeatHeat

• SmokeSmoke

F-2

Fire StatisticsFire Statistics

• 85% of all fire deaths occur where people 85% of all fire deaths occur where people sleep, mostly during nightsleep, mostly during night

• Most are preventableMost are preventable

• 2006: 2,620 people died in reported home 2006: 2,620 people died in reported home fires in the U.S.fires in the U.S.– Victims are disproportionately children or Victims are disproportionately children or

elderlyelderly

F-3

Developing a Family Fire PlanDeveloping a Family Fire Plan

• Install smoke alarmsInstall smoke alarms

• Identify two escape routesIdentify two escape routes

• Practice escape planPractice escape plan

• Practice alerting family membersPractice alerting family members

• Learn fire departmentLearn fire department’’s emergency s emergency numbernumber

F-4

If a Fire Starts…If a Fire Starts…

• Yell Yell ““Fire!Fire!”” several times several times

• Get out quicklyGet out quickly

• Go to meeting placeGo to meeting place

• Call fire Call fire departmentdepartment

F-5

If You CanIf You Can’’t Escapet Escape

• Stuff wet cloth around doors and ventsStuff wet cloth around doors and vents

• Call fire departmentCall fire department

• Open windows slightly at top and bottomOpen windows slightly at top and bottom

• Stay low and by a windowStay low and by a window

• Hang or wave a bright-colored or white Hang or wave a bright-colored or white cloth at the windowcloth at the window

F-6

Preventing FiresPreventing Fires

• Conduct home hazard huntConduct home hazard hunt

• Inspect wood stoves and chimneys Inspect wood stoves and chimneys annuallyannually

• Purchase only Purchase only ““laboratory-testedlaboratory-tested”” heaters heaters

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from any Keep heaters at least 3 feet from any flammable itemsflammable items

F-7

Preventing Fires (contd.)Preventing Fires (contd.)

• Keep matches and lighters away from Keep matches and lighters away from childrenchildren

• Check electrical wiringCheck electrical wiring

• Keep combustibles away from stoveKeep combustibles away from stove

F-8

WildfiresWildfires

F-9

CO WildfiresCO Wildfires

• Many wildfires in CO are started by Many wildfires in CO are started by lightninglightning

• However, a significant number are also However, a significant number are also ignited by human actions (intentional or ignited by human actions (intentional or unintentional)unintentional)

• Be aware of your activities and avoid Be aware of your activities and avoid doing anything that sparksdoing anything that sparks

• Check for red flag warnings and fire Check for red flag warnings and fire restrictions in your arearestrictions in your area

F-10

3 Classes of Wildfires3 Classes of Wildfires

• Surface fireSurface fire

• Ground fireGround fire

• Crown fireCrown fire

F-11

Wildfire PreparednessWildfire Preparedness

• Keep wood and other flammable materials Keep wood and other flammable materials away from your homeaway from your home

• Keep a garden hose long enough to reach Keep a garden hose long enough to reach any area of homeany area of home

• Get portable gasoline-powered water Get portable gasoline-powered water pump if pool, lake, or stream is availablepump if pool, lake, or stream is available

• Equip chimneys and stovepipes with spark Equip chimneys and stovepipes with spark arrestersarresters

F-12

Wildfire Preparedness (contd.)Wildfire Preparedness (contd.)

• Keep fire tools handyKeep fire tools handy

• Use proper building and landscape designUse proper building and landscape design– Create Create ““defensible spacedefensible space”” or or ““safety zonesafety zone””– Mitigate 100Mitigate 100’’ around your home around your home– Use fireproof or fire resistant roofingUse fireproof or fire resistant roofing– Keep lawn and plants trimmedKeep lawn and plants trimmed– Do not store fire wood or other flammable Do not store fire wood or other flammable

materials under a deck or next to a home materials under a deck or next to a home

F-13

Pre-evacuation NoticePre-evacuation Notice

• You should:You should:– Get your family and pets (including pet Get your family and pets (including pet

necessities) ready to leave at a moments noticenecessities) ready to leave at a moments notice– Get your go-kit readyGet your go-kit ready– Move furniture to the center of the homeMove furniture to the center of the home– Remove flammable drapes and curtainsRemove flammable drapes and curtains– Close all doors and windows, lock everything Close all doors and windows, lock everything

other than your planned exit doorother than your planned exit door

F-14

Pre-evacuation Notice… Cont.Pre-evacuation Notice… Cont.

• Position the vehicle you will be evacuating Position the vehicle you will be evacuating in towards the evacuation route for easy in towards the evacuation route for easy escapeescape

• Back any other cars and vehicles into the Back any other cars and vehicles into the garage and close itgarage and close it

● Wet down your roof with a hoseWet down your roof with a hose

● Be ready to turn off utilities as soon as an Be ready to turn off utilities as soon as an evacuation is orderedevacuation is ordered

F-15

During a WildfireDuring a Wildfire

• Keep listening to emergency informationKeep listening to emergency information• Follow all emergency and evacuation Follow all emergency and evacuation

directionsdirections If you are asked to evacuate DO NOT WAIT to If you are asked to evacuate DO NOT WAIT to

leave, do so immediately and lock your exit doorleave, do so immediately and lock your exit door

High Park Fire 2012

F-16

Air Quality in Nearby AreasAir Quality in Nearby Areas

• Air quality is a concern as Air quality is a concern as smoke spreadssmoke spreads

• Keep tabs on the air quality Keep tabs on the air quality in your area. If they are at in your area. If they are at dangerous levels -dangerous levels -– Keep outdoor activity to a Keep outdoor activity to a

minimumminimum– Keep those with respiratory Keep those with respiratory

illnesses, as well as children illnesses, as well as children and the elderly indoorsand the elderly indoors

Smoke from the High Park Fire 2012

F-17

After a WildfireAfter a Wildfire

• Wait until authorities have OKWait until authorities have OK’’d reentryd reentry– Use caution when reenteringUse caution when reentering

• Inspect the roof immediatelyInspect the roof immediately• Have propane or heating oil tanks Have propane or heating oil tanks

inspectedinspected• Check the stability of trees around the Check the stability of trees around the

homehome• If there is no power, check the main If there is no power, check the main

breakerbreaker

F-18