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| "Fire starts when your attention stops... stop a fire happening in your home". |
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Nothing can be as horrifying than waking up to the smell of smoke and seeing your hall filling with thick black clouds. In a
situation like this in panic most often people end up doing mistakes
rather than stopping the potential fire from spreading. Many home fires are caused by cooking, cigarettes, electrical short circuits, children and gas appliances. What is the first thing to do to protect your family and property from fire hazard? Many of these fires can be easily prevented if people take more precautions and are more careful.
Asthma is related to:
Domestic fires out number by far any other type of fire in the UAE. In Dubai 103 home fire were reported during the year 2002 (Data Source: Dubai Civil
Defense). Also accidents due to fire are very high during summer time. This is mainly because during summer time residents tend to over-use electrical appliances in order to make themselves comfortable and cool off. The overloading of domestic
electrical appliances or using too many simultaneously results in short circuit and cause fire.
Another major cause of home fire is candles. A significant portion of all candle fire begin in the bedroom, just as smoking materials (tobacco) fire do. Most of the
home candle fires start in the bedroom. when people use candles in the bedroom, its important they don't
fall asleep or otherwise they would be subjecting themselves to possible fire. The beauty that comes from a single lit candle can rob you or your loved ones and your
home, if you turn back on it.
Unattended cooking is by far another leading cause of home cooking equipment fires and associated losses. Other human errors, such as lack of maintenance (allowing grease to buildup), failing to turn off the equipment and placing combustibles too close to heat sources (as in the case above), children in cooking areas also play roles in these fires.
Keeping your home protected
Do not wait till an accident strike to hunt for hazards. Start hunting for fire hazards to make sure that your home will stay free from fire. Here are some simple ways to keep your home protected from the hazard of fire.
Kitchen Fire
Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven.
Keep cooking areas clean and clear of materials that could catch fire, such as potholders, towels rags, drapes and food packaging. Give space heaters plenty of space.
Candle with Care
The use of candles is rapidly gaining popularity. Candle fire are also not he rise. Fire fighters respond to an increasing number of blazes caused as a result of candles that are either unsafe of unattended. Candle fires generally don't
happened when people use them to accompany a meal. That's because they are generally attended during mealtime. Candle fires do
happened in places like bedrooms and bathrooms where people use them as mood enhancers. Unfortunately, people can fall asleep with a candle still
burning or leave the room without snuffing out the flame. Candles should NEVER be left
burning unattended!
Candle use in bedrooms is discouraged. Almost half of all candle fires start in the
bedroom. If you must use candles in your bedroom, makes sure they are not close to flammable articles
such as bedding, curtains, blinds, piles of clothing, magazines and books of upholstered furniture. A good rule of thumb to follow is to keep candles at least a meter from anything that can burn. Avoid putting candles anywhere near
windows. Curtains might be blown into a candle flames, and d a breeze can fun the flames if a fire should occur.
Tips on using candles
Lit candles should be monitored constantly by an adult and extinguished when adults leave the room or go to sleep.
Use candleholders that won't tip over easily, are made of non-combustible materials, and are big enough to catch dripping wax safely.
Never leave children alone with burning candles.
Cigarette fire
If there are smokers in your home, make sure ashtrays are large and deep and won't tip over. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before discarding them.
Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children's sight and reach preferably
in a locked cabinet.
Electric Appliances
Replace or repair any electrical device with a loose, frayed or broken cord.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle
outlet most receptacle outlets contain two receptacles). As an added precaution, avoid
plugging more than one high-wattage appliance into a single receptacle.
In homes with small children, receptacle outlets should have plastic safety covers.
Unwanted electrical arcing, often occurring undamaged wire or cords, can generate
high temperatures and cause a fire.
Flammable Liquids
Liquids like gasoline, kerosene, and propane are highly flammable. Make sure to store these liquids outside the home in a properly ventilated shed or garage. Store
them only in small quantities and in their original containers or in safety containers. Never bring even a small amount of gasoline indoors. The vapours are highly flammable and can be ignited by a tiny
spark.
Protecting House during absence out side the country
Shut doors and windows tightly.
Disconnect the central electric current main.
Close the gas cylinder's valve or central gas supply connection securely.
Avoid keeping highly flammable unnecessary materials.
Make sure that you have not forgotten any heat sources inside the house.
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