important to know but off topic

[Guest guest]

Fire Safety For The Blind

Folks:

As a retired firefighter and longtime fire-safety educator, I have done a

bit of research on fire safety tips for the blind.

I thought that you may wish to pass this along to your respective mailing

lists (BOLD, Golden Triangle, PCB, etc.)

The information is edited from material supplied by the National Fire

Protection Association.

With my very best regards,

Bill Hamilton

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FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

Fire safety is a vital but often overlooked aspect of health and safety for

people who are blind or visually impaired. The inability to see creates a

greater risk and subsequent challenge in preventing fire injuries. However,

blind or visually impaired individuals can overcome this challenge. Just as

blind individuals must learn basic skills for living using senses other than

sight, they can learn and hone fire-safety skills through repeated practice.

While these tips represent many fire-safety approaches, the use of smoke

alarms and exit planning should be considered the most crucial. According to

the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms are the single most important

piece of fire-safety equipment in use today. Exit planning also is extremely

important, especially for individuals who may have difficulty exiting a

burning building.

The following fire safety tips are organized in three sections: preventing

the fire, before the fire and during the fire.

Preventing the fire .

1.) Cooking: Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. If you need to

step away from the stove, turn it off. Wear tight-fitting clothing when

cooking over an open flame, and keep towels and potholders away from the

flame. If food or grease catches fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid

over the pan and turning off the heat. Do not try to use water to extinguish

a grease fire. When deep-frying, never fill the pan more than one-third full

of oil or fat. Never put foil or other metals in the microwave. Make sure

the stove is kept clean and free of grease buildup. Turn pot handles away

from the front of the stove so they cannot be knocked off or pulled down.

2.) Electrical safety: Electric blankets should conform to the appropriate

standards and have overheating protection. Do not wash blankets repeatedly

as this can damage their electrical circuitry. If an appliance begins to

smell suspicious or emit smoke, unplug it immediately. Replace all frayed or

broken electrical cords. Never use an appliance with exposed wires. Never

overload extension cords, and keep them out of traffic areas. Use only

appliances evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as

Underwriters Laboratories.

3.) Smoking: Never smoke in bed. Make sure that you are alert when you

smoke. If a gas stove or oxygen source is nearby, do not smoke. Have someone

post signs stating that oxygen is in use and warning visitors to refrain

from smoking. Do not smoke while under the influence of alcohol or if you

are taking prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness or confusion. Never

leave smoking materials unattended, and collect them in large, deep

ashtrays. Check around furniture, especially upholstered furniture, for any

discarded or smoldering smoking materials. Before discarding them, soak the

materials in the ashtray.

4.) Space heaters: Give space heaters plenty of space. Keep heaters at least

3 feet from any combustible material, including people. Follow the

manufacturers' directions regarding operation, fueling, and maintenance of

your space heater. Do not use heaters or other heating devices to dry

clothing.

5.) Heating: Have your heating systems and chimneys checked and cleaned

annually by a professional. Never store fuel for heating equipment in the

home. Keep fuel outside or in a detached storage area or shed.

Before the fire .

1.) Identify the nearest emergency exit. Whether you are at home or

elsewhere, you always should know the location of the nearest exit. This

could save your life in an emergency.

2.) Install smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm can make a vital difference

in the event of a fire. It has the potential to reduce the risk of death in

a fatal fire by 60 percent. A properly functioning smoke alarm can alert you

to the presence of deadly smoke while there is still time to escape. Place

alarms next to each sleeping area and on every floor of your home. Test

batteries monthly, and replace them annually. If you cannot do this

yourself, ask a family member, neighbor, building manager, or someone from

the fire department to assist you. Clean smoke alarms by vacuuming them

regularly, or ask someone to do it for you. Install high-decibel smoke

alarms to alert you to the presence of a fire. If your smoke alarms are

hardwired (connected to the electric circuitry of your residence), make sure

they also are equipped with battery backups.

3.) Live near an exit or stay near one when you travel. If you live in an

apartment building or condominium, try to get a unit on the ground floor. If

this is not possible, know where the exit stairwell is located and how to

get there. Plan to wait there for help if you also have an impairment that

prevents you from taking the stairs. If you live in a multistory house, try

to sleep on the ground floor. In any case, make sure a phone is next to your

bed within arm's reach.

4.) Plan and practice escape plans. Knowing your escape plan is one of the

most important steps you can take to save your life in a fire. Plan your

escape around your capabilities. Know at least two exits from every room.

Make sure you can unlock all your doors and windows. Be sure you know how to

open your windows. If security devices such as bars are installed across the

windows, ensure that they release from the inside.

5.) Use indicators to mark exit pathways. The confusion and disorientation

of a fire in the home can be difficult to overcome. You may be forced to

crawl along the floor to avoid smoke. As it can be very disorienting to

crawl where you are used to walking (especially if you count steps to locate

doors and hallways), it is recommended that you place tactile markers along

the baseboard of exit routes inside your home. These will help to identify

where to go in case of a fire.

6.) Involve the fire department. Ask the fire department to help you plan an

escape route, and inform them of your special needs. Ask the fire department

to help identify fire hazards in your home and explain how to correct them.

Any areas you plan to use as a rescue area must be identified and agreed

upon by you and the fire department. Learn the fire department's

limitations, and make fire officials aware of yours.

During the fire .

1.) Get out and stay out. Leave the building as soon as possible. Do not try

to gather identification, personal possessions or attempt to extinguish the

fire. Do not use elevators. Once out, stay out. Do not go back inside.

2.) Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Test doors before opening them. Using

the back of your hand, reach up high and touch the door, the doorknob, and

the space between the door and the frame. If anything feels hot, keep the

door shut and use your second exit. If everything feels cool, open the door

slowly and crawl out low to the ground if smoke is present.

3.) Stay low and go. Crawl low and keep under the smoke if you can. If not,

try to cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make

your way to safety as quickly as possible.

4.) If you are trapped, close all the doors between you and the fire. Stuff

cracks in doors and cover all vents with a damp cloth to the best of your

ability to keep smoke out. If possible, call the fire department and tell

them where you are located. Signal rescuers from a window with a

light-colored cloth that you keep in a designated place for this purpose.

5.) Stop, drop, and roll. If any part of you catches fire, do not run and do

not try to extinguish the flames with your hands. Cover your face with your

hands. Drop to the ground, rolling over and over to smother the flames. If

you have another disability preventing these actions, try to keep a

flame-resistant blanket or rug nearby to smother flames.