Fire

Sorry you've had this experience but thanks for the public service message. It's also about time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when the time changes. I hope you get everything repaired and back to normal soon.

Thank you for the tips Shirley, wish you and your family the best with rebuilding and moving on!
Anna Sheradon

Fire extinguisher - Its right next to the stove.

Good reminder.

Shirley, it's also important to remember that fire extinguishers need to be recharged or replaced periodically. Some fire departments will recharge them as a public service.

I spend a lot of time in an old cabin on the coast and am always concerned about fire there. I've placed the extinguisher in a very prominent spot on an open kitchen shelf. There's a message board on the door beside it, and because other family members use the cabin from time to time, I've written FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON 3RD SHELF in HUGE letters, with an arrow pointing right to its location. Even if they never bother to actually look at the extinguisher, its location will be drummed into their heads every time they head out the back door.

Oh Shirley. That sounds awful, at least there wasn't structural damage. I'm glad you're ok.
If you have a barbeque out back, I'll bet you're getting creative with it...!

That must have given you guys a scare! Thankfully you are safe and sound, and thank you very much for passing on a very important message. May I add one more suggestion to those offered so far? Make sure you have the right type of extinguisher (class B for the kitchen) and make sure it's charged.

http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/

Lots more good advice. You can't imagine the panic. Be prepared!

Shirley I am so glad you and yours are ok... and your house was saved!

I know where mine is now..and its full---thanks for the reminder

Wow Shirley what a horrible fright! Glad you are all okay.

Also, be sure to put the fire extinguisher down near the floor, as you will likely be crawling to get out, since there is less smoke below than above. Make sure there is a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm in each bedroom, and have an escape plan. Do not open your bedroom door if there is fire on the other side!

Occasionally, one should turn the extinguisher upside down and tap the sides (not forcefully) to ensure the material in it does not become compacted, especially if it's an older extinguisher. The powder that is contained in the majority of them is fine in texture, similar to talc powder.

I recommend everyone should also have a box of baking soda (Arm & Hammer as an example) handy. It can be used also if quick to notice a small flare-up. It'll save using your extinguisher. Just a recommendation.


Shirley, glad no one was injured.

If it's a grease fire in a frying pan, just put the lid on the pan.

When using a fire extinguisher: pick it up, pull pin, squeeze handle and aim at the base of the fire - not the flames. Use a sweeping motion to put out the fire.
Periodically check the pressure gauge or indicator on the extinguisher. If it reads out of the green (low), replace it . You can get them recharged, but replacement is probably more cost effective. Also, you should have an ABC rated extinguisher - A (ash) for things like wood, paper, etc., B (barrels) for flammable liquids, and C (charge) for electrical fires.

Shirley, glad you could get it out before it spread.

Art

Reading Arthur's post about grease fires brings up an important factor, especially if you don't have an extinguisher: Never try to put out a grease fire by throwing water on it. The results can be catastrophic, causing the hot grease to erupt, thereby spreading the fire, and causing personal injury from the grease/fire.

Hi
I am a Red Cross Disaster Team Volunteer and there is something about smoke alarms most people don't know. When you push the test button and you get sound that only tells you the batteries are good and it does not tell you if the actual alarm works. Most older alarms last 5 years. Some of the newer ones last 10 years and have a 10year battery.

A fan in the attached garage caught fire and spread quickly to hay bales stored inside. I grabbed a garden hose, flung open the door and the sudden rush of oxygen made the fire explode. A window shattered and I was cut with flying shards. It was really touch and go and took what seems like forever. The smoke was so black I couldn't see anything but flames and my throat was closing. It felt like forever but probably all happened within 10 minutes. Very, very scary.

I've gone over the scenario since and haven't thought of any way to get water on the fire without introducing oxygen by opening a door. Never thought about installing a sprinkler system there. It was a perfect storm in some respects because the telephone company was doing testing on the line just at that moment so we couldn't use the phone. Up until the last minute there had been no water flowing onto the property due to drought. Just before the fire and the line testing started I'd called someone who kindly released enough of their own water on their property so I could have some flow to my property. House/garage/forest would have burned down otherwise. I've blessed that good neighbor every day since.

George,

Thank you, time to put in a new smoke alarm.

Dave

I should have mentioned that the Red Cross is installing free smoke alarms this month through out the U.S.. We are concentrating on mobile home parks, but if you need( up to three). Call the Red Cross Disaster Team in your area ( not the blood people ). We would like these alarms to go to low income people, if possible.

Lots of good advice! Thanks everyone. We have greasy soot on everything. Washy washy washy!