What to do in case of a fire accident occurs in your place

Fire safety awareness can save lives

Seven children of an Emirati family suffocated to death in a fire broke out in their house in Fujairah’s Rul Dhadna district early yesterday, highlighting the need for greater fire safety awareness in the UAE.

HOW TO CONTROL A FIRE

Fire needs three elements: Heat, fuel and oxygen. The three elements are interdependent so removing even one of them will kill the fire.

 1 Inform others as quickly as possible.

2 Check what has happened. If you can fight the fire, do it, but if you can’t, evacuate and help others evacuate.

3 If you are sure that there is no one leƒ in the room that’s on fire, close the door, but do not lock it. Fire consumes oxygen in a contained space.

 4 If the fire is contained in a small area, use a fire extinguisher to douse it.

 5 Alert civil defense authorities.

KITCHEN FIRES

In case a pan of oil catches fire, never throw water on it. Also never carry the pan anywhere.

• First, turn off the stove and use a metal lid, or a cookie sheet, to smother the fire.
• Wearing oven mittens slide the lid slowly from the side and cover the pan.
• Leave it there until the pan cools completely. You can also do this with a fire blanket.
• You can also use baking soda to smother the fire.
• For microwave fires, turn off the main switch, or unplug the microwave, and leave it that way for 15 minutes.
• Never try to open it nor pour water.

PREVENTING SMOKE INHALATION

In case you get stuck in a smoke-filled room when evacuating, remember to stay low. Most deaths in house or building fires are not due to burns but due to smoke inhalation.

Smoke rises and occupies the top layer of the room. The bottom layer from one to three feet is where you can get fresh air which means oxygen, which is important for survival.

READ ALSO: 7 children suffocate in village fire, a mother’s trauma

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

If using one indoors, take note of any wind source. If outdoors, first check the wind direction. You must be on the windward direction. Meaning, if the wind is coming from the east,  use the extinguisher from that side.

PASS technique

HOW TO FIRE-PROOF YOUR HOUSE

1 Make sure that your fire extinguishers are well within reach and educate your older kids on how and when to use them.

2 Ensure all flammable substances including perfumes, deodorants, lighters, oils, and more are kept at high places and away from children’s reach.

3 Ensure that smoke alarms are installed and working properly.

4 Use fire-resistant carpets and/or rugs.

5 Never overload power sockets and replace frayed wires.

6 Switch off power appliances. Unplug cables and extension cables every night if possible.

7 Keep scented candles away from curtains, carpets and flammable material. Use electric diffusers instead.

8 If buying your own furniture, try and get a fireproof spray that you can apply yourself, especially for bedrooms and nurseries.