How Safe Are We?
Sometimes I find it truly amazing when events coincide and other times I simply think they should. Last week I received my monthly flyer from Barb Spaan, our Crime Watch Coordinator here in Ward 15 and 16 telling me the subject of this month’s meeting “Fire Safety for your Home & Business”. Naturally, I immediately put it on my list of things to attend given the recent events here in our neighborhood. Yesterday, Channel 5 began a series of reports on fire safety in the city and the suburbs. Clicking on the list of response times included in the Channel 5 report shows Cleveland ranked in the top ten in the county. Roger Bundy blogs about the response time issue as well. Good to know that not only the media is watching our backs, but so are concerned citizens.
Last night’s meeting was chock full of things that we can do ourselves to prepare for a fire emergency. There were too many tips to relate all of them here, but if you ever have the chance to attend a meeting with Lieutentant Larry Gray, Public Information Officer, Division of Fire do it. The man is a tremendous public speaker chock full of useful information. I took away three things from this meeting that I want to share.
1. Fire Extinguishers. If you have one, make sure it is up to date. Doesn’t do you any good to have a fire extinguisher if when you need it you can’t use it because it has expired. If you don’t have one get one. It should be an ABC extinguisher with a UL sticker. If you use the extinguisher, try to put the fire out for twelve seconds no more, and stay between the fire and your exit.
2. Fire Drills. After last night, I know fire drills are a must. Lt. Gray told us that within three minutes the fire is too hot to survive. Each minute a fire burns the temprature doubles. Do the math–first minute, 200 degrees, second minute, 400 degrees, third minute-800 degrees, and the fourth minute is 1600 degrees. This is the drill. Go to your bedroom. Blindfold yourself. Turn around three times and then try to get out of the room. If you have a partner, have them time you for three minutes. If you are alone, use a kitchen timer. Be sure that you use the three minute time frame. Isn’t easy, is it? The more you practice the better you will be able to get out of the house within the shortest time possible. I cannot stress how important this exercise is to you and your family.
3. Get Out! Shout as you leave the house. Tell the others in the house where you will meet them outside–across the street, under a big tree, etc. When you assemble at the designated point, you will be able to tell the firefighters if everyone is out of the house or if someone is inside waiting for rescue. As Lt. Gray stated, the mission is to save lives first and then save property. If you are still inside, no one will be able to help the firefighters locate any of you.
My Aunt Dadie always said :”Hope for the best, get ready for the worst, and take what comes”. So to paraphrase, I hope that we are preparing for the worst that never comes to any of us.