FIRE SAFETY

Caregiving Series: Volume 6

 

Objectives

Upon completion of this training, the participant will:

·        Understand what factors and situations increase fire dangers.

·        Learn to identify and correct potential fire hazards in the home.

·        Understand how to ensure personal safety if a fire does start.

 

Outline

1.                  How oxygen, fuel and heat combine to start a fire.

2.                 Types of smoke alarms and where to place them most effectively in various rooms of the home. Cleaning, testing and replacing your smoke alarms.

3.                  Importance of calling for emergency help immediately in case of fire.

4.                  Make it easy for firefighters to locate your home with a visible address on the roadway or driveway entry and directional signs at driveway forks.

5.                  Types of fire extinguishers and directions for their use. Calling 911 or emergency number in your area. Planning an escape route before attempting to extinguish the fire.

6.                  Stop, drop and roll technique to extinguish a person who is on fire.

7.                  Exit drills in the home.

8.                  Methods for slowing a fire. How to leave a burning building.

9.                  Safety for all those in wheelchairs. First floor bedroom. Doors with wheelchair ramps at all exits. Importance of knowing neighbors for help in an emergency.

10.             Wrap and slide technique for evacuation of persons confined to bed.

11.             Hazards of oxygen equipment in relationship to fires. Safety precautions in use of oxygen equipment.

12.             Smoking safety. Methods to prevent home fires from cigarettes and other smoking materials.

13.             Ways to improve fire safety in the kitchen and bedroom.

14.             Preventing fires by maintaining a safe electrical system in the home. Breaker boxes, outlets, extension cords.

15.             Using household appliances safely.

16.             Fuel sources. Pilot lights. Furnaces. Water heaters. Propane and natural gas. Space heaters. Wood stoves and fireplaces.

17.           Storage of flammable liquids.

 

 

            Definitions and Key Points

 

1.      Fire safety and prevention is an important part of home care, especially with older adults. Adults 65 years and older are twice as likely to die in a fire than the national average.

 

2.      Four components necessary to a fire to start:

·        Oxygen

·        Fuel

·        Heat

·        The rapid chemical chain reaction of oxygen, fuel and heat.

 

3.      Because of sensory changes related to aging, older adults may not hear the smoke alarm go off or smell the smoke or gas leak. Medications may affect a person’s ability to respond in an emergency.

 

4.      Smoke alarms should be on each floor of the house and in each room where people sleep.

 

5.       Strobe smoke alarms emit bright flashing light and vibration to catch the attention of the hearing impaired in case of fire.

 

6.      Most home fire deaths occur during the night and are caused by smoke, toxic gas, or lack of oxygen rather than the fire itself.

 

7.      911:  Most areas use the number 911 for emergency calls. Check to see what number is used in your locale. Make sure your home address and telephone number is easily available to caregivers, friends, and relatives who might not remember them in an emergency.

 

8.      The PASS technique: Four steps to take when using a fire extinguisher.

·        Pull out the pin, unlocking the operator lever.

·        Aim low, pointing the nozzle at the base of the fire.

·        Squeeze the lever above the handle.

·        Sweep back and forth.

 

9.     ABC fire extinguisher:  The best all-purpose fire extinguisher for home use.

·        Dry burnables, paper, wood, clothing, people.

·        Flammable Liquids, grease, oil, gas.

·        Electrical

 

10.   The exit plan is an essential part of fire safety. Draw a floor plan of the whole house, showing two ways out of each room. Identify two exits from the house. Review and discuss your plan with the while family and with caregivers. Practice your escape plan regularly.

 

11.  Wrap and slide: Technique used to evacuate a person who is confined to a bed. Use a blanket or sheet to wrap the person’s body. Support their head and shoulders as you gently slide them off the bed in the direction of the exit.

 

12.  Burning charcoal gives off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide and can cause death from toxic gas. Do not use charcoal indoors.

 

13.  Propane gas is heavier than air and has a distinctive smell. Natural gas rises and is lighter than air. It also has a distinctive odor.

 

14.  Oxygen is highly flammable and its proper use is critical in terms of fire safety. Enforce a no smoking policy in the home and keep oxygen away from heat sources.

 

15.  Smoking continues to be the leading cause of deadly home fires. Do not allow a person who is confused or has dementia to smoke unattended. Do not leave smoking materials unattended.

 

 

Mmedifecta

   HEALTHCARE TRAINING

A Division of Health Care Training Systems, Inc., Medford, OR 97504

 www.medifecta.com

Fire Safety, Copyright 2000