Fire Extinguisher Use In Case of Fire
Quickly size up the situation, and stay calm. Most fire extinguishers only last for 30-40 seconds. Fire extinguishers should be located near room exits or in hose cabinets located in the hall ways.
Get everyone out, pull fire alarm. If fire is still small, fight it using appropriate extinguisher. Stay near the door - so you have an escape. Stay low - out of heat and smoke. Select the proper fire extinguisher for the job.
Use the PASS technique with the appropriate fire extinguisher:
P- Pull the pin or locking device.
A- Aim low, at the base of the fire.
S- Squeeze the handle.
S- Sweep the agent slowly and evenly at the base of the fire.
Stay outside small rooms - shoot stream in. Open windows only after fire is out.
to see the video click on the U Waterloo logo!After the Fire
1. Was it really necessary to break the windows and put holes in the roof?
As a fire burns, it moves upward, then outward. Removing windows and cutting holes in the roof, is called ventilation in firefighting terms. This stops that damaging outward movement of smoke and heat and enables us to locate potential victims, and fight the fire more efficiently. This results in less damage in the long run. This procedure also contributes to reducing the risk of injury to firefighters.
2. Why did the firefighters put holes in the walls and ceiling?
They had to be absolutely sure there was no "hidden" fire inside the walls, ceilings and any partitions that were in the fire area.
After the Fire / Salvage Hints
Professional fire and water damage restoration companies may be a good source of cleaning and restoration of your personal belongings. Companies offering this service can be located in the phone directory.
Clothing Smoke odor and soot
Clothing Smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing.
The following formula will often work for clothing that can be bleached: 4-6 teaspoons trisodium phosphate (can be purchased in paint stores) 1 cup Lysol or any household chlorine bleach 1 gallon warm water Mix well, add clothes, rinse with clean water, dry well.
To remove mildew, wash the fresh stain with soap and water. Then rinse and dry in the sun. If the stain isn't gone, use lemon juice and salt, or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach.
Electrical Appliances
Please don't use appliances that have been exposed to water or steam until you have a service representative check them. This is especially true of electrical appliances. In addition, steam can remove the lubricant from some moving parts. If the fire department turned off your gas or power during the fire, call the electric or gas company to restore these services - do not try to do it yourself. Often a licensed plumber or electrician must make repairs before service can be restored
Rugs and Carpets
Rugs and carpets should be allowed to dry thoroughly. Throw rugs can be cleaned by beating, sweeping, or vacuuming, and then shampooing. Rugs should be dried as quickly as possible - lay them flat and expose them to a circulation of warm, dry air. A fan turned on the rugs will speed drying. Even though the surface seems dry, moisture remaining at the base of the tufts can quickly cause the rug to rot.
For information on cleaning and preserving carpets, call your carpet dealer or installer or a qualified carpet cleaning professional.
Leather and Books
Wipe your leather goods with a damp cloth, then with a dry cloth. Stuff your purses and shoes with newspapers to retain their shape. Leave your suitcases open. Leather goods should be dried away from heat and sun. When leather goods are dry, clean with saddle soap. You can use steel wool or a suede brush on suede. Rinse leather and suede jackets in cold water and dry away from heat and sun.
Photographs
Preserving damaged photographs is often very important to victims of fires, floods and other disasters. If photographs are not burned they can usually be saved. Never try to peel apart photographs that have stuck together. Always remember that photographs were originally developed in water solutions and then washed. Soak the photos in clear, clean water and rinse carefully and thoroughly and let stuck photographs separate on their own. If they stay damp they can be damaged by mold. If you have quantities of wet photos, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them, then thaw them and wash them a few at a time. After washing the photos, dry them image side up on a smooth hard surface like a glass table or kitchen counter.
Walls, Floors and Furniture
To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a mild soap or detergent or mix together the following solution: 4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate 1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach 1 gallon warm water Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with this solution. Be sure to rinse your walls and furniture with clear warm water and dry thoroughly after washing them with this solution. Wash a small area of wall at one time, working from the floor up. Then rinse the wall with clear water immediately. Ceilings should be washed last. If the weather allows, open windows and use a fan to circulate air. Do not repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry. Your wallpaper can also be repaired. Use a commercial paste to repaste a loose edge or section. Contact your wallpaper dealer or installer for information on wallpaper cleaners. Washable wallpaper can be cleansed like any ordinary wall, but care must be taken not to soak the paper. Work from bottom to top to prevent streaking.
Wood Furniture
Do not dry your furniture in the sun. The wood will warp and twist out of shape. Clear off mud and dirt. Remove drawers. Let them dry thoroughly so there will be no sticking when you replace them. Scrub wood furniture or fixtures with a stiff brush and a cleaning solution. Wet wood can decay and mold, so dry thoroughly. Open doors and windows for good ventilation.
Turn on your furnace or air conditioner, if necessary. If mold forms, wipe the wood with a cloth soaked in a mixture of borax dissolved in hot water. To remove white spots or film, rub the wood surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia and 1/2 cup water. Then wipe the surface dry and polish with wax or rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1/2 cup turpentine and 1/2 cup linseed oil. Be careful - turpentine is combustible. Please remember, oily rags can start fires by spontaneous combustion. You do not want another fire. Put all used rags in an airtight metal container like a paint can and place outside away from your home. You can also rub the wood surface with a fine grade steel wool pad dripped in liquid polishing wax, clean the area with a soft cloth and then buff.
U.S. Saving Bonds
If your U.S. Savings Bonds have been mutilated or destroyed, write to: U.S. Treasury Department Bureau of Loans and Currency 537 W. Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60605 ATTN: Bond Consultant Include name(s) and address(s) on bonds, approximate date or time period when purchased, denominations and approximate number of each.
Mutilated currency can be mailed or personally delivered to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. A letter should accompany the submitted currency and give the estimated value of the currency and explain how the currency was mutilated. All mutilated currency should be sent by "Registered Mail, Return Receipt Requested" to: Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Currency Standards, P.O. Box 37048, Washington, D.C. 20013.
Insuring the shipment is the responsibility of the sender. The Bureau's special currency examiners are usually able to determine the value of mutilated currency when it has been carefully packed and boxed as described below:
Regardless of the condition of the currency, DO NOT disturb the fragments any more than is absolutely necessary. If the currency is brittle or inclined to fall apart, pack it carefully in plastic without disturbing the fragments, and place the package in a secure container. If the currency was mutilated in a purse, box, or other container, it should be left in the container to protect the fragments from further damage. If it is absolutely necessary to remove the fragments from the container, send the container along with the currency and any other contents that may have currency fragments attached. If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll or fold the notes. If the currency was in a roll when mutilated, do not attempt to unroll or straighten it out. If coin or any other metal is mixed with the currency, carefully remove it.
Any fused, melted, or otherwise mutilated coins should be sent for evaluation to the: Superintendent, U.S. Mint, P. O. Box 400, Philadelphia, PA 19105. The amount of time needed to process each case varies with its complexity and the case workload of the examiner. For cases that are expected to take longer than four weeks to process, BEP will issue a written confirmation of receipt.
Documents are very important to your well-being and can be damaged or destroyed as a result of a fire or other disaster. The following documents should be located if at all possible.
Birth Certificate
Credit Cards Driver's Licenses
Title to Deeds Bank Book
Stocks and Bonds Insurance Policies
Wills Military Discharge Papers
Medical Records Passports
Death Certificate Payment Books
Social Security Cards Warranties
Marriage Papers Income Tax Records
Divorce Decree Auto Registration
Citizenship Papers Title Cards
Animal Registration Papers Prepaid Burial Contract
A good investment is a fire-proof safe that is UL rated for a minimum of 1 hour @ 1700°F. This is usually enough time for firefighters to extinguish a blaze. You will then be able to recover your perserved documents when it is deemed safe.Credit Cards Driver's Licenses
Title to Deeds Bank Book
Stocks and Bonds Insurance Policies
Wills Military Discharge Papers
Medical Records Passports
Death Certificate Payment Books
Social Security Cards Warranties
Marriage Papers Income Tax Records
Divorce Decree Auto Registration
Citizenship Papers Title Cards
Animal Registration Papers Prepaid Burial Contract
Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible.
If you are unable to reach your agent or insurance company, most policies require you to have your home secured against vandalism and looting, and allow advanced funds for your family to find lodging. Keep all receipts, in order to be reimbursed by your insurance company. If possible, do not disturb or remove any items before the insurance adjuster arrives.
Some insurance policies provide for additional living expenses until you are able to move back home. You must keep receipts for all expenditures. If you are a tenant, contact the resident manager, the owner or the owner's insurance agent. It is the owner's responsibility to prevent further loss to the site. See that your personal belongings are secure either within the building or by moving them to another location, such as the home of a relative or friend. Contact your own insurance agent to report the loss. The property owner's insurance, in most cases, will not cover the loss of your personal belongings.
Insurance and Other Assistance:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
- If you are renting, contact the property owner or the owner's insurance company.
- If you are not insured, contact your lawyer or the IRS for directions.
Contact the American Red Cross for disaster relief services. American Red Cross of Central Ma., in Leominster .
Main Telephone Number: Call 1-877-REDCROSS
If Your Property is not Covered by Insurance Emergency assistance, including temporary shelter, food, clothing, eye glasses, and medicine is available through the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
The Fitchburg Fire Fighters Local 3128 or the Fitchburg fire Department cannot recommend or endorse any products or services provided by any particular or specific company. The previous information was compiled from The Insurance Companies of America.