Be Prepared For Fire
January 26, 2007
Most fatal home fires start when you are asleep and least prepared. Family members die when discovery is delayed and exits become blocked with smoke and heat. According to recent statistics, smoke is the major cause of all fire related deaths.
It has been estimated that nearly half of the lives lost in home fires could be saved by the installation and proper maintenance of smoke alarms.
A smoldering fire may go undetected for hours, especially when people are asleep. Such a fire will continue developing, giving off smoke and gases. Oxygen can be replaced with toxic gases like deadly carbon monoxide. Smoke from burning synthetics also carries poisons such as hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, acetic acid, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and ammonia.
Smoke and gases can have an effect before a sleeper is disturbed. Normally air is about 21 percent oxygen. When it falls below the 17 percent level, thinking and co-ordination may become difficult. Below 16 percent, a person’s effort to escape may be irrational. Breathing becomes impossible when oxygen levels fall below six percent.
Super-heated air and gases rise quickly and produce what is known as a “hot” fire. Unconsciousness and death in this environment can occur within a few minutes. Bedrooms located in the upper floors of residences are frequently subjected to these conditions in the later stages of a fire.
A smoke alarm is considered one of the most effective defenses against fire. Consider installing them on every level in your home. Check alarms, according to manufacturer’s directions. Batteries found in battery-operated smoke alarms should be changed regularly.
An early warning system against the danger of fire is all you need to help save the lives of your family. Consider smoke alarms. Buying one will be the best decision you make in protecting your loved ones.
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