9 Fire Safety Tips That Should Never Be Forgotten!

Fires can appear suddenly and often we cannot find their cause without a thorough examination by experts. Firefighters share their experiences and suggest what to look out for at home.

Learning first aid can save the life of someone close to you. It is worth learning the basics to be able to react in case of an emergency. Many people are terrified to acquire skills such as resuscitation or putting on bandages properly.

And sometimes firefighters have to deal with more funny situations 🙂.

The heating season is on the way, so it's worth to start by cleaning the chimney efficiently. Removing ordinary chimney soot yourself is simple and it prevent dangerous creosote fires. But if you are not able to do so yourself, it is worth hiring a specialist. If you notice unusual flame, you should immediately notify the fire department and if it is possible to extinguish the fire. Do not try to extinguish such a fire with water! This can cause the whole chimney to rupture as a result of the rapid formation of steam. After the fire, it is mandatory to call the chimney sweep, who will assess the losses and repair the damage to the chimney.

Remember that firefighters often have to endure higher temperatures in fires than we can imagine, in a burning building it can be 500 degrees!

After each drying cycle, learn to remove any lint of the filter in dryers so that it does not settle. This inconspicuous sludge is responsible for almost one-third of fires connected to dryers. Firefighters recommend that you remove any lint from the entire drum and check the vents in the enclosure where it can accumulate.

Domestic animals also suffer in fires!

Do you have a fire extinguisher at home? If not, is it is overdue that you get one then. A fire extinguisher is a basic and relatively cheap tool for fighting fire, but many people underestimate it. It is worth having it, but it is also worth remembering about its proper type. Fire extinguishers have appropriate markings from A to F depending on the material to be extinguished with their use:

A - they are used to extinguish solid, organic materials (wood, straw, clothes),

B - to fight with flammable liquids or materials that melt under the influence of high temperature (kerosene, acetone, alcohol, petrol),

C - all fires of combustible gases,

D - suitable for extinguishing light metals (sodium, potassium, aluminium),

E - all electrical devices connected to the power supply during the fire,

F - used to extinguish within kitchen chip-pan fires, cooking oils, catering facilities.

Remember that safety first, so putting out the fire is the last thing you should think about. First of all, you should alert all those who may be threatened by the raging flames. Companies usually have fire-fighting systems in place, make sure they are regularly servised. In a domestic environment, on the other hand, make sure that everyone in the household knows about the danger and goes to a safe place. Alert fire department as soon as you can. Take fire extinguisher when you are sure that you can not control the flames otherwise. If fire is spreading widely, do leave immediately, do not attmep to collect any belongings!

If a room that contains electronic devices catches fire, it is better to give up any attempts to extinguish the fire. Only specialized fire extinguishers or fire protection systems are able to deal with such flames. In the case of electronics, extinguishing them with an ordinary extinguisher can lead to an electric shock. If the extinguishing of a single computer (with an E type extinguisher) is within our capabilities, the attempt to extinguish the entire server room may end tragically.

It sounds so cliched, but there are still situations where candles are the main source of house fires. A lit candle cannot be left unattended and remember to extinguish it. Remember to place them away from cluttered places or flammable objects such as curtains, clothing or papers.

Remember that during a widespread fire often nothing is seen or heard!

Watch out for faulty extension cords before connecting them and do not place them under rugs or doors. Extension cords should not be used to connect large appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, etc.) as these should be connected directly to wall outlets. Avoid stapling or piercing extension cords as this can damage the wires and cause a fire. And remember that they are intended for temporary use, both indoors and outdoors. Longer or inappropriate use can cause them to overheat.

Croatian equipment of one fire truck displayed.

It may sound bizarre, but it is worthwhile to talk to the household members about a possible fire and how they should behave during such a situation. Panic is the greatest enemy of safety. In particular, it is worthwhile to train children how to manage emergency situations and call for potential help. Such a plan is very similar to first aid rules - it is better that everyone knows it and never has to use it.

Safety First!!!