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Flame burns are usually caused by clothing catching fire. Here
are some general guidelines for keeping you and and your family
safe.
- Keep a portable Fire Extinguisher within easy reach of areas
such as the oven and stove where small fires are more likely to
occur. Read the extinguisher instructions carefully and be sure
that you know how to use it. In an emergency, there may be no
time to read operating instructions
- Know which extingisher you need, depending on the application.
There are three basic types of extinguishers for specific applications:
"A" for ordinary combustibles such as paper, cloth,
wood, rubber and some plastics; "B" for flammable liquids such
as oil-based paint, lacquer, grease, tar and flammable gas; and
"C" for electrical equipment such as wiring, circuit breakers,
fuse boxes, machinery and appliances
- Keep matches, lighters and smoking materials out of your child's
reach and in containers with child-proof tops.
- Never leave lit cigarettes, cigars or burning candles unattended
- Do not smoke in bed. A cigarette can smolder for some time until
it unexpectantly bursts into flame
- Do not leave a fireplace unattended or let your child play near
it
- Do not prime a car carburetor with gasoline, as it can ignite
and explode
- Do not use gasoline or other flammable agents for cleaning
- Keep portable heaters away from wall or flammable materials
(e.g. curtains) or substances
- If you must store gasoline, store it in a locked shed away from
the house or garage. Be sure that there are no nearby heat sources
- If you are repairing equipment that uses a combustible liquid
such as gasoline, perform repairs in an open space so that there
is adequate ventilation
- Let equipment such as a lawn mower, powerboat or snow blower
cool before filling the gas tank.
Housefires
- Place smoke alarms on every floor, situated at the top of stairways
and opposite open doorways
- Change the batteries in smoke alarms once a year and test monthly
- Replace smoke alarms after 10 years
- Plan an escape plan and practice it once a year with your family.
You should have two ways out of every room. Have a meeting place,
so you can determine if everyone is out of the house. Once outside,
do not go back into the house for any reason
- Be sure that everyone in your family knows to test the door
with the back of their hand before trying to escape through a
door. If the door or doorknob feels hot to the touch, do not use
it. If you have access to water and can wet a towel, jam it under
the bottom of the door to give you time to try your second escape
route
Campfires
- Create an 'all clear zone' three to four feet around the campfire.
This will help protect everyone from the fire, even if they stumble
or fall.
- Do not allow children to 'poke' or throw things into the fire.
They can lose their balance and fall into the flames.
- Always keep a bucket of water within reach of the fire for emergency
use.
- To extinguish a fire completely, soak the coals well and stir
the ashes. Do not just cover up the campfire with sand. Hot embers
can be hidden under the ashes
Barbeques
- Keep children at least four feet away from the grill at all
times
- If regular charcoal briquettes are used, NEVER use gasoline
to light the briquettes, as it may cause an explosion. If lighter
fluid must be used, read the directions and follow the instructions
closely
- If the fire is hot, NEVER add more lighter fluid. It may burst
into flame
- Barbeque outdoors only. Fumes can build up within an enclosed
area, causing an explosion
- Barbeque in an area that is a safe distance from a car or any
flammable material
- Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinquisher nearby, in case
of an emergency
First Aid Treatment
- Remove victim from the source of the fire
- STOP, DROP & ROLL
- Cool the burned area with water and remove all jewellery and
clothing. If water is not available, cool the area with a bag
of frozen vegetables, cold pack or cold pop can.
- Be cautious about applying ice directly to the burn, as it may
cause frostbite, compounding the injury. APPLY FOR 10-15 MINUTES
MAXIMUM, then wrap the burn area with a wet, clean cloth.
- Lie the victim down and keep warm to prevent shock when transporting,
or until emergency help arrives.
For more information, visit the BC
Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund web site
to access articles, videos, and educational materials on burn prevention.
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