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There are hundreds of people who die and thousands
more are injured in accidents involving electrical fires or shocks.
If you have a fire and lose your quarantine, haven you
really have a problem. Since every ones plan to stop the pandemic bird
flu centers around some form of a quarantine, fire prevention is a
major area of concern. Do not underestimate this sections
importance! Think about it what you would do if your house burned
down in the middle of the time you needed it most to isolate
yourself from the virus. By the time, you relocated and transferred
all your food and water reserves, et cetera; there is a good chance
of exposure to the virus.
The most
inexpensive and effective early fire detection pieces of
equipment you can get are simple smoke detectors,
which only cost $5 to $20. This fire detector can save you a lot of
unnecessary pain. The secret is to properly place and maintain the
smoke detectors you install. You increase your chances of survival
by a walloping 50%. Your home is most vulnerable to fire from 11
P.M. and 7 A.M. while you and your family are asleep. Most people
die of smoke and poisonous gases while they are sleeping.
When a fire occurs, time is of the
essence, you only have a limited time to escape. A
smoke detector can wake you up early enough while escape is still
possible. You should have at least one detector on each floor. Any
additional detectors will give you a better chance of early
detection. You should buy battery-powered units due to the
possibility of electricity problems. Pick a brand that was
tested by a nationally recognized laboratory.
Smoke detectors are best placed near
bedrooms either on the ceiling(at least six to
twelve inches away from
the wall) or (on the wall and six to twelve inches down from the
ceiling). Do not place near areas where drafts created by fans or
air ducts can prevent them from being effective. The detector needs to
be able to sense the smoke as it approaches where you sleep. Attach
battery-operated smoke detectors directly to the ceiling or wall.
You can install them easily with no problems. Wired electrical detectors are
more of a problem and you may need an electrician to handle installation.
Remember during a bird flu pandemic the lights could go out
and a wired electrical system will not provide any alert. For that
reason a suggest using a battery-operated system.
Test all smoke detectors at least once a
month by pushing the test button.Many people forget
to do this and the smoke detectors do not operate in all too many
cases. Also, vacuum the dust from the alarm vents once a year.
Replace the batteries when needed (when the sound becomes weak or
every six months).
Practice makes
perfect when all of your familyor close associates
know what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. Knowing
that a fire has begun is great and obviously saving lives is the
most important concern. However, much time and afford must be placed
on prevention. We do not want to have to fight a fire unless it is
necessary. Remember, firefighters for the most part will not
be available or at least you cannot count on them as you do
normally.
You can prevent most of the
problems by following simple electrical-safety rules.
1. The first one is when a circuit breaker activates or a
fuse blows, do not only reset or replace it. The system had a
problem for a reason, what caused the system to overload? Find out
what that reason is and correct the problem. 2. Always, make sure
you know what the correct amperage rating is for the circuit. Do not
replace a circuit breaker or a fuse with one that exceeds the
amperage rating for a given circuit. 3. Put different high-amperage
appliances on different circuits so they do not overload. Look at
your circuit breaker box and see which breaker connects to which
outlets. Do not use appliances such as space heaters, irons or other
heat-producing appliances on the same circuit. 4. Do not try to take
a short cut by using other materials that conduct electricity like a
penny in place of a fuse. 5. Always keep electrical
cords out of high traffic and children playing areas.6. Make sure all electrical cords are in good condition
with no cracks, frays or any damage at all. 7. Do not pinch an
electrical cord against any walls, furniture, or appliance. 8.
Please, do not run extension cords under carpets, around, or across
doorways. 9. Your lights should be on level, uncluttered surfaces
and make sure the lampshades will protect the bulb if the lamb hits
the ground. 10. Also, make sure that no over recommendations for
light bulb wattage applies to the lamp fixtures.
GFCI
means Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and it
monitors the current flowing through a circuit it cuts off the
electricity when there is an imbalance. It will respond to problems
faster than a circuit breaker or fuse and can protect people from
prolonged electrical shock and serious injury. Plug or install this
great inexpensive product at outlets, or built into extension cords.
Be sure to test and reset GFCI's monthly to make sure they are
working ok. 11. Outdoor extension cords should not run across lawns
for seasonal lighting displays and do not run extension cords across
driveways or traffic areas. 12. Plug any appliances used outdoors
into outlets protected byGFCI’s.13. Do not use
electrical appliances outside in wet weather. That also includes wet
ground or grass. Except when the appliance design is for wet weather
and has a label by an independent testing lab proving such use. 14.
You should use only weatherproof fixtures and GFCI outlets with
weatherproof covers for outdoor installations.
15. Everyone should report power lines that are down
and warn others with markings to alert for accidental
execution. Obviously, never touch or even go near a
power line because a fatal shock or severe injury can be the result.
16. Never put ladders especially metal ones near power lines. This
would especially include electrical service to your
home.
Specially during a
bird flu pandemic, everyone should be proactive
instead of waiting for something bad to happen so look for the
warning signs. Spot electrical problems before they
cause a shock or fire. 1. If you are, blowing fuses or circuit
breakers that are tripping frequently. 2. You should notice wall
outlets where the color has changed. 3. Notice an unusual smell or
burning odor coming form an appliance or wiring. 4. If you feel a
tingle sensation when you touch an electrical, light that is a sign
of bad things ahead. 5. You notice a sizzling sound at wall switches
or outlets. 6. You notice the lights flickering with out
explanation. If you are unable to find the problem yourself, call an
electrician or the power company immediately to inspect the
electrical connection of your home at the electric meter. Weather
causes many
problems to outdoor meters.
It
is important to take action at once when you spot a warning
sign do not wait for a problem to surface.
Unplug or turn off an appliance that does not work properly. In some
cases, you may want to cut off the power to a malfunctioning circuit
by disconnecting the fuse or activating the breaker manually. Call a
professional to correct the situation.
1. You should have a professional
electrician replace damaged or old outlets with up to
date three-wired, polarized receptacles. 2.
Make sure that the plugs match the outlets. 3. It is important to
properly ground to reduce fire and shock hazards. Use three-pronged
plugs and three-wired receptacles or a correctly grounded adapter.
Standard polarized plugs, with one prong wider than the other, need
polarized receptacles. 4. You should never modify the wide prong of
a polarized plug to make it fit into an outdated outlet. You should
have the outlet replaced and properly grounded. 5. You can protect
children from electrical shock by installing plastic safety inserts
in unused outlets. 6. You should never cut off or bend the ground
pin of a three-pronged plug. Because the ground connection is, what
protects you from severe shock caused by a defective cord or damaged
appliance.
Always make
sure before you buy an appliance that it has a label of an
independent testing laboratory, which indicate that it has met
basic safety standards. 2. It is important to allow
a lot of space around stereos, computers, and televisions, so they
do not overheat. 3. Always, keep any electrical cords away from
heat-producing appliances, such as coffee makers and toasters. 4. It
is very important to keep heat-producing appliances, such as
electric ranges, irons, and electric space heaters, at least three
feet or one meter away from curtains, bedding, furniture, or
something that will burn. 5. Lastly, always make sure that
detachable appliance cords, such as those used with deep-fat fryers,
coffee makers, and popcorn poppers have the proper ratings for the
electrical-load requirements of the appliance.
PANDEMIC SWINE FLU FIRE SAFETY IMPORTANT FACTS, DID
YOU KNOW, AND DO‘S AND DON‘TS!
1. Don't leave matches
and lighters lying around for the little hands to find.
2. If you sleep in a
bedroom with a door closed, you should have a smoke detector in the
bedroom.
3. You should Test your
smoke detectors once a month, record the date and replace dead
batteries. Because experts estimate that up to 50%, of people’s
smoke detectors do not work because the batteries are dead or
missing.
4. Make sure to practice
a fire escape plan with your entire family or quarantine associates.
It is important to stay low and crawl to safety.
5. Why should you stay
low in a fire? Because heat at the floor level is 90 degrees and
heat at height, level is 600 degrees. The heat can knock you
unconscious and kill you at only 150 degrees.
6. You should never
borrow batteries from smoke detectors and warn everyone in your
household to leave working batteries in their place.
7. A fire burning in a
house for 1 minute grows to 3 times its original size, 11 times in 4
minutes and 50 times in only 6 minutes.
8. Usually, you should
get the people out of the fire first then call for
help.
9. The fact is most
people die in the first five minutes of a fire.
10. You
should install smoke detectors on every level of your
home.
11. People cannot smell smoke when
they are asleep. In fact, you will go into a deeper sleep while
inhaling smoke.
Carbon
Monoxide
A Killer you Cannot See or
Smell.
The big problem with carbon
monoxide is you cannot see or smell it. At high levels, it
can kill you within minutes. It develops whenever fuels such as oil,
gas, wood, kerosene, or charcoal burns. The good part is if the
appliances that burn fuels are in good condition and used properly,
the amount of carbon monoxide is usually not dangerous. Many people
die accidentally every year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by
faulty or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. A large number of
people die every year from carbon monoxide producing idling cars.
Infants, fetuses, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a
history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially
susceptible.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms include the
following at moderate
levels:
1. Severe headaches
2.
Dizziness
3. A mentally
confused state
4. Nauseated or
faint
If moderate levels persist for a long time, you can
die. Low levels can cause the following
symptoms:
1. Shortness of
breath
2. Mild
nausea
3. Mild headaches and may
have a longer effects on health.
Watch out for confusing these
symptoms for those of the pandemic bird flu, food poisoning or other
illnesses and never find out that carbon monoxide poisoning was the
real cause. If you believe that, you are the victim of carbon
monoxide poisoning get fresh air immediately. Open windows and
doors, turn off appliances and get out of the house. You will not be
able to visit the emergency room for obvious reasons, so you must be
able to diagnose the problem yourself.
Ask the following questions:
1. Do the symptoms happen only inside the
house?
2. Do the symptoms leave
or diminish when you are out of the house and comeback when you go
back to the house?
3. Find out if there is
anyone else complaining of the same symptoms?
4. Has someone inspected
the household appliances recently?
5. Did everybody’s
symptoms start at the same time?
6. Find out if
fuel-burning appliances were or are in use in the
house?
7. Does everyone
agree that the appliances are working properly? The best way to
prevent getting carbon monoxide poisoning is making sure there are
no lose ends. Have a trained professional inspect all fuel-burning
appliances at the beginning of every season or before the actual
pandemic occurs. These appliances include gas and oil furnaces, gas
ranges and ovens, gas water heaters, gas dryers, gas or kerosene
space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves. Also, be sure that there
are no problems with the chimneys and flues connection, and it is in
good condition and not blocked. Try to obtain
appliances that vent their fumes to the outside and have them
installed properly. Also, make sure to maintain them according to
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Always follow all of the instructions that come with
any fuel-burning device. Again, your first goal is to get an
appliance that vents its fumes outside. However, if you are
unable to do that, make sure to follow the cautions that come with a
device like an unvented gas or kerosene space heater. Use the proper
fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Open a window a
little to let enough air in for ventilation and proper fuel
burning.
To keep the environment safe for you and your family
do not do any of the following:
1. Even for a short time, do not use a
gas oven to heat your home.
2. If the garage door is open or
closed, do not idle a car in the garage. The fumes will built up
quickly in the garage and other areas of your home.
3. Never use a charcoal grill indoors
and that includes in a fireplace.
4. Never, use gasoline-powered engines
like snow blowers, chain saws mowers, weed trimmers, small engines,
or generators in enclosed areas.
4. It is very important that you do not
sleep in any room with a non-vented gas or kerosene space heater.
5. Do not disregard any symptoms, and
especially if more than, one person is feeling them. There is a
strong possibility that you could lose consciousness and die if you
do nothing.
A good idea is to buy a
carbon monoxide detector and use it as a back up and
not as a replacement for proper use and maintenance of your
fuel-burning appliances. The reason is the technologies of carbon
monoxide detectors is still developing and are not as reliable as
smoke detectors. Also, unlike a smoke detector, where we can simply
verify the cause of the alarm, carbon monoxide is odorless and
invisible, therefore it is harder to know if an alarm is false or a
real emergency.
The best way to handle
this uncertainty is not to depend on the carbon monoxide
detector as an absolute for your security. Use good
technique in preventing carbon monoxide from being a concern in your
home instead of relying on the detector. Also, shop around and do
your homework. Do not select on the grounds of cost alone. Consumers
report, American Gas Associates, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
will help you make an informed decision. Look for a UL certificate
on any detector you buy.
If the carbon monoxide detector alarm goes off do the
following:
1. First, make sure it is not the smoke detector
instead of the carbon monoxide detector.
2. Talk to all the people in the house
to see if anyone is experiencing symptoms of poisoning.
3. If you cannot find anyone with
symptoms, open the windows or doors and ventilate the home with
fresh air, and turn off all potential sources of carbon monoxide.
These sources could include your gas range and oven, oil or gas
furnace, gas dryer, gas water heater, gas or kerosene space heater
and any vehicle or small engine.
4. You must inspect your fuel-burning
appliances and chimneys to be certain they are operating properly
and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from venting out of the
house. Indoor air problems in your home are the result of indoor
pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air. The
best way to remedy this situation is simply open the windows when it
is not windy outside and let the fresh breezes into your home. Be
careful about opening the doors because you do not want an unwelcome
visitor to deal with in your home.
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