FIRE When fire has taken hold in a house, get out fast. Smoke from plastic-foam upholstery can kill in less than 2 minutes. If a fying pan catches fire 1. Turn off the heat on the stove 2. Cover the pan with a large lid or plate, or with a dap towel or a fire blanket. *Do not move the pan *Do not throw water on it *Do not lift the lid off a chip pan for half an hour, even if the flames seems to have died down If an electrical applicance or fitting catches fire 1. Switch off at the main fuse box 2. Extinguish the fire with water or a fire extinguisher, except for a TV or computer fire *Do not throw water on a burning applicance of fitting when the electricity is still turned on. *Do not touch any switch on a burning appliance or fitting when the electricity is still turned on *Do not touch any sweitch on a burning appliance of fitting If a TV or computer catches fire 1. Pull out the plug or switch off at the main fuse box 2. Smother the fire with a blanket or rug or a fire blanket *Do not use water or a fire extinguisher, because residual electricity may remain in the set If an oil heater catches fire Stand at least 6 ft (2m) away and throw on buckets of water If a foam sofa or armchair catches fire Burning plastic foam gives off choking black smoke that can overcome you in one minute. Do not try to put out the fire. 1. Get out of the room and close the door to prevent the smoke from spreading. 2. Call the emergency number and ask for the fire brigade If a person’s clothes catch fire 1. Prevent the victim from rushing about in a panic; the movement will fan the flames 2. Lay the victim down to prevent the flames from rising up to the head, and douse the fire with water or other non-flammable liquid (in a kitchen a bottle of milk might be nearest to hand) Alternatively, wrap her tightly in a coat, curtain, blanket (not fabrick, and simultaneously lay her on the groud. *Do not use nylon or man-made material to smother the flames *Do not roll the victim along the ground. It can bring the flames into contact with unharmed parts of the body. 3. Treat the victim according to the extent of the burns If you smell burning at night 1. Alert everyone in the house. 2. If the fire is too big to deal with safely, get everyone outside. If you think the fire is well alight in a closed room, do not open the door to find out. 3. Shut all doors behind you to restrict the spread of flames and smoke. 4. Go to the nearest telephone, dial emergency number and ask for the fire brigade. *Do not go back inside If you are trapped on an upper floor 1. Go to a room at the front of the house, close the door and black up cracks with bedding or clothes. 2. Open the window and call for help *Do not jump out of the window, except as a last resort |
