Many students are living on their own for the first time and there are potential fire safety, household security and health hazards in the average home to be aware of. Over the next couple of installments we will look at risk sources and offer solutions.
Fire safety is imperative and with today’s technology one can minimize risks but one has to stay alert, follow best practices and ensure that the proper equipment is in use and maintained. The landlord should provide smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and in each bedroom. As well at least one smoke detector and one CO detector on each level of the home are usually required by law. Tenants are responsible for testing and maintaining alarms in their personal quarters. Avoid the common pitfall of removing the battery from a beeping alarm, or pulling the alarm down if it makes a false alarm and forgetting to replace it. If the alarm goes off constantly from cooking have it moved and reinstalled properly in another appropriate location, following directions provided by the manufacturer on the box or on-line. When the alarm does go off do not assume it is a false alarm but check carefully for signs of smoke or fire before opening doors to adjacent rooms or hallways.
For a minor fire, such as a stop top flare-up, smother the fire by carefully sliding a large pot lid over it and turning off the burner. Baking soda or salt can also be poured on oven fires to quelch them. Each kitchen should have a fire extinguisher handy. If you are not a well practiced cook avoid risky deep frying. In general do not leave the kitchen area when cooking and never leave the house while the range is on. If you are distracted or forgetful make use of programmable ovens, loud, long ring timers and whistling tea kettles, etc. to help prevent things burning or boiling dry.
When you do laundry be careful to empty the lint trap on the clothes dryer before and after every load – and during especially linty loads. Make sure the dryer is exhausted to outside and verify periodically that the vent is working. Lint is highly flammable and dryers need annual internal cleaning by a knowledgeable person to prevent lint build up. If possible do not store or use flammable chemicals inside the home, if you must then follow all precautions to the letter. Never bring a propane tank indoors and do not barbecue indoors, on a wooden porch or balcony or near flammable walls or fences.
Do not attempt to use fireplaces unless they are up to current building code and have a safe, clean chimney. Make sure that you have opened the damper for proper venting. Due to fire and health risks fireplace use should be kept to the minimum anyway; try putting candles on a decorative rack inside the fireplace for a nice effect and higher level of safety.
If you smell natural gas faintly anywhere in the home check that all pilot lights are on and if that is not the problem call the gas company. If the gas odor is strong leave the house immediately and call for help from a safe distance.
In case of serious fire have an escape plan and a designated meeting place away from the house for all residents. Be prepared to exit quickly in case of a serious fire and call 911 as soon as you have reached safety. Do not stop to get dressed or to take valuables. Just get out and sound the alert to other residents. There should be two exits from each sleeping area of the house. Verify that all bedrooms are considered legal with the city before you rent and this should include them having passed fire safety review. Don’t create makeshift sleeping areas in a space you can’t escape from readily. If you are on an upper level and there is no second staircase or fire escape have a chain escape ladder for the window or at minimum a very strong rope with a loop that can quickly be anchored to a bed, etc. to lower yourself from
Fire prevention starts with you. Many home fires occur from cigarette smoking. If you are a smoker resist all temptation to smoke in bed or in an upholstered chair especially if you are sleepy or prone to nodding off. Restrict smoking to an uncluttered area and have fireproof ashtrays of adequate size on hand. If you burn candles make sure they are firmly stuck into ample, fireproof holders and cannot tip out or melt out or they could cause carpets or furnishings to ignite and do not leave them unattended. We will continue fire safety next time and move on to household security from there.
