inMotion Magazine

Living Well 37 Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape? Home fires occur more in winter than any other season. As you stay cozy and warm this winter, be fire smart! A little awareness and planning can make all the difference. As a firefighter, when I became an amputee I became concerned for my safety, not only in my home, but also when I travel. While this may not be the first thing that may come to everyone’s mind, I was thinking as a first responder, a husband, and the father of a 4-year-old child. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned. Fire Extinguishers. You should be able to shake your ABC (general purpose) fire extinguisher and feel the movement of the powder inside. If not, replace it. Smoke Detectors. These generally have a life span of no more than 10 years. Some fire departments provide replacements at little or no cost or will replace them for a small donation. Check with your local fire department to find out if they have such a program. Enhanced 911. This is the latest addition to most community 911 emergency centers. What’s nice about this is that special alert notes can be included with someone’s address. So your 911 centers can note that you have an amputation, and may have a mobility problem, oxygen tanks, hidden key, etc. Check with your city/county emergency manager’s office about any medical documentation that may be needed. Hidden Key. Hiding a key under a welcome mat or inside a “fake rock” is a popular practice, but risky for that very reason. Combination key lock boxes are a safer option. Check with your local fire/police department for suggestions about the best location. Water Heaters. Maintain a clear space around your water heater. Many fires in a basement or garage start around water heaters and furnaces because of items stored nearby, particularly flammable materials like cleaning fluids, paint cans and gas cans. Plan Ahead. Pick and practice an escape route (including an alternate route if the first is blocked) and a safe place to meet outside. Never go back in for any reason, including pets. This may be hard to do or even understand, but the smoke from a fire kills before the flames do. Health & Well-Being Heating equipment is involved in 1 in every 7 home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths. Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month. Don’t overload circuits with too many plugs and extension cords as this can create overheating, resulting in fire. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires. More than 15,000 house fires a year are caused by clothes in dryer. Clean the vents at least one a year. Remember: If there is ever a fire, get out, stay out, call for help. BE PREPARED by David Dunville