2183 - 16th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116

Tel. 415.566.1479 - Fax. 415.566.0330

e-mail us @ Info@GreatEscapeInc.com

Fire Escape Maintenance and Service


 

Could your family survive a fire?

Most of us would say yes, thinking of fire in the movies. Unfortunately, fire does not live up to these expectations. As thrilling as the idea of crashing into a burning building to save someone may sound, in reality, this would kill you in moments. Since heated air rises, temperatures increase about 100 degree Fahrenheit every foot.

At these temperatures a person can be instantly burned to death. The smoke produced by fire is not like fog as it appears in the movies. You cannot see through the smoke, and the lack of oxygen will swiftly overcome a person. Also, the smoke from a fire can asphyxiate you before you smell it. Don't rely on your nose; rely on well-kept smoke detectors.

Every year about 6,000 people die in fires in their homes. Many home fires start in areas where the may block main exits. For instance, the most likely room in the house for a fire is the kitchen. Frightenly enough, the bedroom is the third most likely place for a fire to start, and most home fires start between eight a.m. and eight p.m.

When fire attacks, your home can become a death trap. Heat rises, and smoke and deadly gases can race ahead of flames, paralyzing a sleeping person.

Mistakes Cost Lives: Plan Ahead.

• Always sleep with the bedroom door closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape.
• Plan your escape routes from each room. DRILL PERIODICALLY.
• Have fully functional smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
• Well maintained escape ladders for second floor are vital. 
• Test windows and doors-do they open easily enough? Are the wide enough? or tall enough?
• Choose a safe meeting place outside the house. Try not to panic and when safely outside then call for help.
• Practice alerting other members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom.
• Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke or gases may be enough to kill.
• Test doors before opening. Put the back of your hand against the door. If it is hot, or if smoke is coming through the cracks, don't open it. If the door is cool and seems safe, open it cautiously by bracing your shoulder against it and keeping your head to one side to avoid breathing any sudden smoke. Be ready to slam the door shut if you see smoke or heat rushes in.
• Learn to stop, drop to the ground and roll if clothes catch fire.
• Never stand up when a fire alarm sounds. Drop to the floor and crawl to your emergency exit.
• Don't waste time getting dressed or gathering valuables. GET OUT!

Fire Escape Planning.  

• Practice evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire most likely will make it difficult to see. Practice staying low to the ground and escaping.
• Make an outline of the entire floor area. Include furniture positions if desired.
• Label bedrooms.
• Locate windows, doors and stairways. For upper floor plans, shade in any rooftop that can be used as a fire escape.
• Go to each bedroom. Select the best window for an emergency escape.
• Use black arrows on the floor plan to show normal exits through halls and stairways.
• Use colored arrows to show emergency exits in case the normal escape routes are blocked by fire.

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FIRE ESCAPE INFORMATION (Post on refrigerator)

Our outside meeting place: _____________________________________________________

______________________ notifies Fire Department by phone from _____________________'s house. The Fire Department phone number is _____________________________

Fire Drill Schedule (Every six months)
Date 1_______________
Date 2 _______________
Date 3 _______________
Date 4 _______________

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Additional Tips for Fire Safety.

Install smoke detectors.
Check smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once a year. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and burning fires. At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of a structure.

Post emergency numbers near telephones.
Be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you should not place the call to emergency services from inside the home.

After a fire emergency.
Give first aid where appropriate. Seriously injured victims should be transported to professional medical help immediately. Stay out of the damaged building. Return only when fire authorities say it is safe.

Make sure you have a safe fire escape method for all situations.
You may have installed a very expensive home security system. But if you cannot escape the burning structure you have a false level of confidence.

SPACE HEATERS NEED SPACE.
Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to sleep. Children and pets should always be kept away from them.

SMOKERS NEED TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL.
Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. Carelessly discard cigarettes are a leading cause of fire deaths in the Untied States.

BE CAREFUL.
Keep cooking areas clear of combustible and wear shorts or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so they do not over-hang the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide lid over the pan and smother the flames, then turn off the burner.

MATCHES AND LIGHTERS ARE DANGEROUS.
In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly! Store them where kids can't reach them. Preferably in a locked area. Teach children that matches and lighters are "tools" and they should only be used by adults.

USE ELECTRICITY SAFELY.
If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don't overload extension cords. They should not run under rugs. Never tamper with the fuse box or use the improper size fuse.

COOL A BURN.
If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.

BE CAREFUL OF HALOGEN LIGHTS.
If you have halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas. Never leave them on when you leave your home or office.

FIRE CAN ENGULF A HOUSE IN 60 SECONDS! MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE AND QUICK METHOD OF ESCAPE!!!