Preventing fires at home, a challenge for everyone
Actualizado a fecha: 2 December, 2018
When the winter arrives, the number of fires in homes increases. It is a drama and a frustration that it happens in a society with a high level of life and technology. Fires in Spain reach more than 150 victims each year. There is something we’re doing wrong.
That is why TECNIFUEGO-AESPI tries to raise awareness about the need to keep certain precautions and preventive measures and to install some systems to warn us against when there is a fire. For a couple of years they have been urging the Ministry to take action on the issue and legislate in favor of installing compulsory fire safety measures, such as detectors.
In France they have already done something. Since a year ago, it is mandatory to install a detector at home. Something cheap and simple that warns you and firefighters in case of fire to be able to escape and extinguish the fire.
In some provinces in Spain, they are also taking initiatives that involve the installation of smoke detectors in the most vulnerable homes.
HOW TO AVOID FIRES AT HOME?
1. If you use electrical heaters, do not use an extension lead unless it’s completley necessary and do not use those heaters to dry clothes or footwear.
2. Do not overload the electrical plugs.
3. Do not place towels or plastic utensils in the shelves above the oven.
4. Do not to use long sleeves or do not roll your sleeves up when cooking since they can be lit and make fire.
5. Check out the gas, it has to have a clean blue color flame, no yellow.
6. Keep lighters and matches far away from children.
7. When empting the ashtrays, make sure to verify that its content is perfectly turned off.
8. When cleaning the chimneys, make sure that the ashes are turned off.
9. Use fire resistant materials as much as posible on the upholestery. Then, in case of a fire, it would be easier to control.
10. Do not smoke in the bed. It is one of the main reasons of death for fires in houses. Remove as well all the heaters and stoves from the bed.
11. Take special precautions with inflammable liquids such as petrol, acetone, benzene, turpentine oil, etc … they must be kept out of the house far from inflamable materials and packaged in non glass containers.
12. Have a fire-extinguisher at home and learn how to use it. In case you don’t know how to do it, then you can call the Civil Protection in order to ask for help.