Hi guys well I wrote an article about a fire escape plans in your home. If you did not already know my husband is a firefighter and he would like to write a few things that he feels are very important to know around you home for fire safety...
In any home make sure your yard is clean and litter free also make sure your gutters are cleaned regularly for leaves as when dry they are highly flammable and if these catch fire they can send a small spark under your eaves and start a fire in your roof cavity.
Make sure there is a clear area around your home make sure your gardens are not all over your house if that makes sense.
Keep your kids away from heaters and open fires obviously and buy low flammable pjs
If you have tank water, run polypipe across your roof with microsprinklers, during a bush fire turn this on. You may ask why this, but it cools down your roof and minimises the chances of a spark starting a fire on your roof.
Have a fireblanket in your house, preferrably in your kitchen as it is good for fat fires.
Very Important.............Know what your fire extingusher is best for and know how to use one. below is a list of extinguisers colours and uses
Type of Extinguisher Size Suitability(class) Colour
water 9lt A Completely red
Foam 4.5l and 9l A or B Red with a blue band or label
Dry Chemical Powder 1kg to 9 kg A, B and E Red with a white band or label
Wet Chemical 3.4l and 7l F and A Red with an oatmeal colour band or label
Carbon Dioxide 2kg to 5kg B and E Red with black band or label
Class Type of Fire Examples
A Ordinary Combustibles Wood & Paper
B Flammable Liquids Paint & Petrol
C Flammable Gases LPG & Natural Gas
D Combustible Metals Magnesium & Lithium based metals
E Fire Involving Live Electrical Equipment Computers & Toasters
F Oil & Fats Vegetable oils & animal fats
I hope that is not too confusing. Below is a list of different smoke alarms and their differences too
Photoelectric Best suited to detect slow burning, smouldering fires. Ionisation Best suited to detect fast laming fires.
Vesda
(very early smoke
detection alarm) Very expensive for home but the best on the market for commercial
The top two are both about the same price and can be hard wired as well as battery. always keep the back up battery fresh so to speak even if it is hard wired. The Photoelectric one is more for smoke. The Ionisation is more for a fast heat change. Vesda system actually air tests the air and can be adjusted for different levels of smoke and can also detect flame.
It takes around 45 seconds for an average lounge room fire to start and the lounge to become engulfed in smoke and flames. Scary I know But True
Please take every precaution you can to protect your loved ones. We can never be to careful when it comes to
FIRE
I feel that this is parenting advice and a very important part of it too.
Well informed is well protected........
Thank you
Ken
(January 2007) (
Lexi xxx
Hayley xx
