Just in Case (38 page)

Install any extinguisher where you can easily reach it. Finally, know how to use it. This might take some training.

MULTIPURPOSE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

The final piece of equipment you could consider is an escape ladder for rooms above the first floor. The ladders are usually stored under the window where they would be used. Some of the more expensive brands come in a box that can be bolted to the floor. It is then only necessary to open a window and drop it out. Otherwise, the ladder will hook over the sill. Be sure to teach anyone who might need to use the ladder how to do it, and have your family members practice exiting the house with one. I would not be inclined to leave a ladder in a room with a child who might be tempted to use one as a plaything.

ALWAYS CALL FOR HELP

Should you have a fire, always call 911 first. Only then, if the fire looks small and easily contained, should you attempt to put it out. If you have any doubt, evacuate. Do not risk your life trying to save your home.

For a ladder to work, you have to be able to get it (and yourself) through the window, so make sure your designated windows can be opened easily. Regardless, you might consider giving family members a lesson in how to break a window safely. A window should be broken from the top down, using something heavy and long enough to keep you well away from shattering glass. Sweep the glass from the base of the window and then cover the base with a blanket so you can get through it.

FIRE PREVENTION

P
REVENTING FIRES IS
just as important as being prepared for them, if not more so. Set aside some time to take a walkthrough of your home, looking for potential fire hazards.

In the kitchen, be sure the area around the stove is clear of clutter. In my own kitchen I found a basket of napkins set far too close to my range top. If your stove has knobs on the front and you have small children, cover the knobs with childproof covers. Get all family members in the habit of setting pots with the handles facing toward the back of the stove so you can’t knock a pan off as you walk by.

As you walk through your home, check all outlets and cords. Cords should never run under carpets. Outlets not in use should have plug covers. Electrical cords must never be nailed or stapled or frayed. Do not allow cords to be pinched by doors or drawers. Extension cords are not for permanent use. If you need extension cords or plug-ins that expand the number of outlets at a spot, you probably have too many things running on one circuit. Overloading outlets is never a good idea. If an outlet feels warm to the touch, stop using it and call an electrician.

FIRE LADDER IN ACTION

FOLDING FIRE LADDER

Check all heating units. Wood, propane, pellet, and coal stoves must be installed according to your local building codes and the manufacturer’s specifications. Keep the area around these stoves clear of clutter. Open fires must be protected by a fireplace screen. If you have small children, keep them away from stoves and fireplaces with a sturdy gate. Plan to have your chimney cleaned by a professional every year before the beginning of the heating season.

In the laundry room, check your dryer for accumulated lint, both in the lint trap and in the drum. Gas dryers should have the flexible gas line that is checked for leaks and damage every year. Do not store combustibles next to your dryer, and don’t run your dryer when you are not home. Do not dry rags that have been used with cleaning solvent in a dryer.

Outside, locate grills at least three feet from walls, and keep a three-foot kid-free zone around them. If you have a fire hydrant on your property, keep the area around it free of snow in the winter, and brush and clutter in good weather. Make sure that your house numbers are large enough to be easily read from the street.

Children playing with matches still cause many fires. Keep lighters and matches in a designated spot well out of reach of curious little ones. Do not allow candle or incense burners to be used in children’s bedrooms, and use them in the common areas only when supervised by an adult.

FIRE EVACUATION PLANS

D
EVELOP AND PRACTICE
a fire evacuation plan with your family. Have at least two means of egress, whether by door or by window, from each room in your home. Have family members practice escape by both routes, so they know what to do and so you can be certain that windows are not stuck and that screens can be easily removed. Have your children listen to the smoke detector go off, so they know what it sounds like.

Having an evacuation meeting spot, such as a neighbor’s porch or a nearby large tree, will ensure that you don’t have to look for a family member who is already safely outside the house. Make sure everyone in the family knows the designated meeting spot, and make sure everyone meets there during your practice drill.

If anybody, such as a small child or elderly person, will need help exiting, assign one competent adult to that person. Precious moments can be lost if everyone does not understand exactly what his or her role is in an evacuation.

Teach your children basic fire escape safety. In the event of a fire:

• They should feel doors before opening them. If a door is hot, they should not open it. If smoke or heat comes in when they do open the door, they should shut it immediately and use another exit.

• If they must escape through smoke, they should stay as low as possible, since smoke and heat rise and the area closest to the ground will have the best air.

• If their clothing catches on fire, stop, drop, and roll. If they see someone else whose clothing is on fire, they should cover that person with a blanket and help them to drop and roll.

NIGHTTIME ROUTINES

Every night, pick up toys, clothing, and clutter from bedroom floors. You shouldn’t have to navigate an obstacle course to get your kids safely out of the house. Have everyone keep a pair of shoes or slippers next to his or her bed, as well as a flashlight.

Take children on a fire-station field trip, or arrange for such field trips through their schools. Kids should be familiar with the look and sound of firefighters in full gear and be taught not to hide from them.

Finally, all family members must agree that once you are out of a burning building, you stay out. Let the fire fighters do any necessary search and rescue missions.

CHAPTER 12 NATURAL DISASTERS

The natural forces that sustain us are at times capricious. The warmth of summer, so delightful here in the Northeast, can become extremely dangerous during a heat wave. The waters that irrigate our lands can rise from their banks and flood us from our homes. The winds that carry the weather can turn into violent maelstroms of tornadoes and hurricanes. The very earth beneath our feet can move and shake and quake.

Though they are reported so widely that seldom a day goes by without some news story about death and destruction due to natural disaster, severe weather events are actually rather rare. If you have established a good preparedness program, as outlined in the preceding chapters, you will be in good shape to manage severe weather and its effects. And if you take the time now to evaluate which, if any, of the natural disasters we discuss in this chapter are likely to occur in your area, you can take steps to prepare and protect your household.

A note about terminology: When local and national agencies issue warnings about possible dire weather, they do it in two stages. A watch means that a weather event is possible in your area. This is your signal to get ready to take action. A warning means that a weather event is occurring or will occur soon in your area. This is your signal to take action, whether by seeking shelter or evacuating.

EXTREME HEAT

E
XTREME HEAT, WHETHER
for a period of a few hours or extending over many days, is quite dangerous, especially for the very young, the very old, and those with chronic health problems. In fact, heat kills more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes, or winter storms combined.

SURVIVING THE HEAT

When the temperature rises, there are a few steps you can take to beat the heat:

•
Drink!
Drink cool water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

•
Eat lightly.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than a few large ones.

•
Avoid sunburn.
Protect yourself from sunburn by wearing loose, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Having an insulating layer of air between you and the hot outside air will keep you cooler than removing all your clothing. Apply sunscreen before going out; applying it thirty minutes beforehand will ensure that it offers the utmost protection.

•
Stay cool.
If you don’t have air-conditioning at home, head out to find it. Malls, libraries, and other public air-conditioned spaces can be good places to hang out when it’s sweltering outside.