Fire Safety - Fire in the Home
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Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of
injuries generally present. Common causes of fires at night are carelessly discarded
cigarettes, sparks from fireplaces without spark screens or glass doors, and heating
appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles. These fires can be
particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period of time before
being discovered by sleeping residents.
Most victims of fire succumb to the smoke and toxic gases and not to burns. Fire
produces poisonous gases that can spread rapidly and far from the fire itself to claim
victims who are asleep and not even aware of the fire. Even if residents awaken, the
effects of exposure to these gases can cloud their thinking and slow their reactions so
that they cannot make their escape. This is why it is so crucial for you and your family
to have sufficient warning so that you can all escape before your ability to think and
move is impaired. In addition, more than half of fatal fires in homes occur when people
are asleep ' this represents only a third of a 24-hour day. Therefore, any fire
protection system must be able to protect people who are asleep in their bedrooms
when fire starts.
Furthermore, nearly half the people killed in home fires each year are either preschool
children or adults 65 years old or older. Add people with physical, mental, or emotional
handicaps, and it is clear that home fire protection must be designed for people with
limitations. That is why every fire safety program should include provisions for people
with special needs.
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