Wild Fire Safety Checklist

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Wild Fire Safety Checklist WildFire ENG.qxd:Layout 1 5/21/09 5:28 PM Page 1 Be Red Cross Ready Wild Fire Safety Checklist More and more people are making their homes in woodland Supplies to take with you if you need to evacuate: settings, rural areas or remote • Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply) • Food—non- mountain sites. There, residents perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply) • Flashlight • Battery- enjoy the beauty of the powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) • Extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications (7-day supply) and medical environment but face the very items • Multi-purpose tool • Sanitation and personal hygiene items • real danger of wild fires. Wild Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical fires often begin unnoticed. They information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies) • spread quickly, igniting brush, Cell phone with chargers • Family and emergency contact information • trees and homes. In a wild fire, Extra cash • Emergency blanket • Map(s) of the area • Other essential items that could not be replaced if they were destroyed every second counts! What should I do to prepare What should I do if there are Returning home after a ahead of time? reports of wild fires in my area? wild fire … Ë Ë Ë Learn about wild fire risks in your area. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Do not enter your home until fire Ë officials say it is safe. Ë Talk with members of your household Listen to local radio and television Ë about wild fires—how to prevent them stations for updated emergency Use caution when entering burned and what to do if one occurs. information. areas as hazards may still exist, Ë Ë including hot spots, which can flare up Post emergency phone numbers by Always back your car into the garage or without warning. every phone in your home. park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Ë Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, Ë Make sure driveway entrances and your Ë poles and downed wires. house number or address are clearly Confine pets to one room so that you Ë marked. can find them if you need to evacuate Watch for ash pits and mark them for quickly. safety—warn family and neighbors to Ë Identify and maintain an adequate Ë keep clear of the pits also. water source outside your home, such Arrange for temporary housing at a Ë as a small pond, cistern, well or friend or relative’s home outside the Watch animals closely and keep them swimming pool. threatened area. under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn your Ë Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Set aside household items that can be pets’ paws or hooves. used as fire tools: a rake, ax, hand saw Ë Listen and watch for air quality reports Ë or chain saw, bucket and shovel. You may Follow public health guidance on safe and health warnings about smoke. need to fight small fires before emergency cleanup of fire ash and safe use of responders arrive. Ë Keep indoor air clean by closing masks. windows and doors to prevent outside Ë Ë Select building materials and plants that Wet debris down to minimize breathing smoke from getting in. resist fire. dust particles. Ë Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on Ë Ë Regularly clean roofs and gutters. Wear leather gloves and heavy soled the air conditioner in your home or car. shoes to protect hands and feet. Plan ahead and stay as safe as If you do not have air conditioning and Ë possible during a wild fire. it is too hot to stay inside with closed Cleaning products, paint, batteries and windows, seek shelter elsewhere. damaged fuel containers need to be Ë Plan and practice two ways out of your Ë disposed of properly to avoid risk. neighborhood in case your primary route When smoke levels are high, do not use is blocked. anything that burns and adds to indoor Ensure your food and water are safe. air pollution, such as candles, fireplaces Ë Ë Select a place for family members to and gas stoves. Do not vacuum because Discard any food that has been exposed to meet outside your neighborhood in case it stirs up particles that are already heat, smoke or soot. you cannot get home or need to inside your home. Ë evacuate. Do NOT ever use water that you think Ë may be contaminated to wash dishes, Ë If you have asthma or another lung Identify someone who is out of the area disease, follow your health care brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, to contact if local phone lines are not provider's advice and seek medical care make ice or make baby formula. working. if your symptoms worsen. Let Your Family Know You’re Safe If your community has experienced a wild fire, or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available through RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET- INFO to register yourself and your family. For more information on disaster and emergency preparedness, visit RedCross.org . Copyright © 2009 by the American National Red Cross | Stock No. 658599.
Recommended publications
  • Smokejumper STEM Challenge!
    OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION STEM PATHWAYS Smokejumper STEM Challenge! The Problem The U.S. Forest Service is seeking a parachute design that enables smokejumpers to jump in higher winds and glide to a safe landing. The parachute system needs to help reduce injuries to ankles, legs and hips during landings. The Challenge The U.S. smoke jumping program began in 1939 with the first fire To design a smokejumper’s parachute that has jump made in 1940 in Idaho. Today, more than 300 a controlled descent assuring a safe landing on smokejumpers battle wildfires from about June 1 through October the designated wildfire target. in the U.S. Parachutes are also used to drop food, water and fire fighting tools to the men and women battling wildfires. Find a Solution ASK: What are some possible ideas? Design Materials & Supplies PLAN: Test out your ideas Newspaper Tissue paper CREATE: Put your ideas to the test Garbage bags Miniature Napkins smokejumpers TEST: How well did your idea work? (toy paratroopers Paper Towels 1 ½ inches to 4 IMPROVE: Review results & make changes Kite string inches tall). You can also use washers, Tape clothespins or other Things to Consider Hole Punch similar items if you do Scissors not want to purchase toy figures. 1. What types of materials are used to make Ruler parachutes? 2. Which design material will work best to SAFETY ALERT: Scissors are sharp! Adult supervision descend your smokejumper to the wildfire? required when releasing smokejumper from elevated test sight (balcony, staircase, step ladder, etc.). 3. How will the parachute’s shape and size factor into your design? 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires Marty Ahrens February 2021
    Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires Marty Ahrens February 2021 Copyright © 2021 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Key Findings Smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74 percent) of the injuries from fires in homes with smoke alarms occurred in properties reported homei fires in 2014–2018. Almost three out of five home with battery-powered alarms. When present, hardwired smoke alarms fire deathsii were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms operated in 94 percent of the fires considered large enough to trigger a (41 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent). smoke alarm. Battery-powered alarms operated 82 percent of the time. Missing or non-functional power sources, including missing or The death rate per 1,000 home structure fires is 55 percent lower in disconnected batteries, dead batteries, and disconnected hardwired homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or alarms or other AC power issues, were the most common factors alarms that fail to operate. when smoke alarms failed to operate. Of the fire fatalities that occurred in homes with working smoke Compared to reported home fires with no smoke alarms or automatic alarms, 22 percent of those killed were alerted by the device but extinguishing systems (AES) present, the death rate per 1,000 reported failed to respond, while 11 percent were not alerted by the operating fires was as follows: alarm. • 35 percent lower when battery-powered smoke alarms were People who were fatally injured in home fires with working smoke present, but AES was not, alarms were more likely to have been in the area of origin and • 51 percent lower when smoke alarms with any power source involved in the ignition, to have a disability, to be at least 65 years were present but AES was not, old, to have acted irrationally, or to have tried to fight the fire themselves.
    [Show full text]
  • First Responder (2013)
    THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS This PDF is available at http://nap.edu/22451 SHARE The Legal Definitions of First Responder (2013) DETAILS 30 pages | 8.5 x 11 | PAPERBACK ISBN 978-0-309-28369-4 | DOI 10.17226/22451 CONTRIBUTORS GET THIS BOOK Bricker, Lew R. C.; Petermann, Tanya N.; Hines, Margaret; and Sands, Jocelyn FIND RELATED TITLES SUGGESTED CITATION National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2013. The Legal Definitions of First Responder . Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/22451. Visit the National Academies Press at NAP.edu and login or register to get: – Access to free PDF downloads of thousands of scientific reports – 10% off the price of print titles – Email or social media notifications of new titles related to your interests – Special offers and discounts Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the National Academies Press. (Request Permission) Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. The Legal Definitions of “First Responder” November 2013 NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM Responsible Senior Program Officer: Stephan A. Parker Research Results Digest 385 THE LEGAL DEFINITIONS OF “FIRST RESPONDER” This digest presents the results of NCHRP Project 20-59(41), “Legal Definition of ‘First Responder’.” The research was conducted by Lew R. C. Bricker, Esquire, and Tanya N. Petermann, Esquire, of Smith Amundsen, Chicago, IL; Margaret Hines, Esquire; and Jocelyn Sands, J. D. James B. McDaniel was the Principal Investigator. INTRODUCTION Congress and in some congressional bills that were not enacted into law.
    [Show full text]
  • AHSC Tips: Community Climate Resiliency
    AHSC Tips: Community Climate Resiliency Communities will experience effects of climate change in various ways, including increased likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, and severe weather. To be resilient to climate change, it is important to understand if the surrounding community is experiencing specific climate risks and how your AHSC project aims to address specific concerns. This section is worth 3 out of 15 points of the narrative, and includes a required supplemental Climate Adaptation Assessment Matrix (Matrix). STEP 1 - IDENTIFY CLIMATE RISKS: If available, use a local climate vulnerability assessments created by the city, county, regional council of government (COG), or metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to gather information about local climate risks to the project area. You can search for local climate vulnerability assessments on the Adaptation Clearinghouse. If no local assessment is available, or if the local assessment does not provide sufficient data, Cal-Adapt.org is a recommended state website to use. To fill out your Climate Adaptation Assessment Matrix for the AHSC program, you will need to use the Local Climate Change Snapshot Tool and Sea Level Rise Tool. They are both easy-to-use and come with downloadable data specific to your project’s geographic area. See general tips about Cal-Adapt immediately below, then the Appendix that starts on page 7 for screenshots of the Local Climate Change Snapshot Tool and Sea Level Rise Tool and guidance on how to take data from the tool to fill out the Matrix for each climate projection. Last Updated 3.11.21 1 Tips for using Cal-Adapt: ● After you have selected the tool, your next step will be to narrow in on the most localized data that is available.
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems
    Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems OSHA 3256-09R 2015 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 “To assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women; by authorizing enforcement of the standards developed under the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in their efforts to assure safe and healthful working conditions; by providing for research, information, education, and training in the field of occupational safety and health.” This publication provides a general overview of a particular standards- related topic. This publication does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities which are set forth in OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Moreover, because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements the reader should consult current administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts. Material contained in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested but not required. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627. This guidance document is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide
    A publication of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide PMS 210 April 2013 Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide April 2013 PMS 210 Sponsored for NWCG publication by the NWCG Operations and Workforce Development Committee. Comments regarding the content of this product should be directed to the Operations and Workforce Development Committee, contact and other information about this committee is located on the NWCG Web site at http://www.nwcg.gov. Questions and comments may also be emailed to [email protected]. This product is available electronically from the NWCG Web site at http://www.nwcg.gov. Previous editions: this product replaces PMS 410-1, Fireline Handbook, NWCG Handbook 3, March 2004. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has approved the contents of this product for the guidance of its member agencies and is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone else. NWCG’s intent is to specifically identify all copyrighted content used in NWCG products. All other NWCG information is in the public domain. Use of public domain information, including copying, is permitted. Use of NWCG information within another document is permitted, if NWCG information is accurately credited to the NWCG. The NWCG logo may not be used except on NWCG-authorized information. “National Wildfire Coordinating Group,” “NWCG,” and the NWCG logo are trademarks of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names or trademarks in this product is for the information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute an endorsement by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group or its member agencies of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildfire Smoke and Your Health When Smoke Levels Are High, Even Healthy People May Have Symptoms Or Health Problems
    PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION http://Public.Health.Oregon.gov Wildfire Smoke and Your Health When smoke levels are high, even healthy people may have symptoms or health problems. The best thing to do is to limit your exposure to smoke. Depending on your situation, a combination of the strategies below may work best and give you the most protection from wildfire smoke. The more you do to limit your exposure to wildfire smoke, the more you’ll reduce your chances of having health effects. Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Use a Listen to your body high- efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and contact your filter to reduce indoor air pollution. healthcare provider Avoid smoking tobacco, using or 911 if you are wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, burning candles, experiencing health incenses or vacuuming. symptoms. If you have to spend time outside when the Drink plenty air quality is hazardous: of water. Do not rely on paper or dust masks for protection. N95 masks properly worn may offer Reduce the some protection. amount of time spent in the smoky area. Reduce the amount of time spent outdoors. Avoid vigorous Stay informed: outdoor activities. The Oregon Smoke blog has information about air quality in your community: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com 1 Frequently asked questions about wildfire smoke and public health Wildfire smoke Q: Why is wildfire smoke bad for my health? A: Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant material. The gases and fine particles can be dangerous if inhaled.
    [Show full text]
  • FIGHTING FIRE with FIRE: Can Fire Positively Impact an Ecosystem?
    FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: Can Fire Positively Impact an Ecosystem? Subject Area: Science – Biology, Environmental Science, Fire Ecology Grade Levels: 6th-8th Time: This lesson can be completed in two 45-minute sessions. Essential Questions: • What role does fire play in maintaining healthy ecosystems? • How does fire impact the surrounding community? • Is there a need to prescribe fire? • How have plants and animals adapted to fire? • What factors must fire managers consider prior to planning and conducting controlled burns? Overview: In this lesson, students distinguish between a wildfire and a controlled burn, also known as a prescribed fire. They explore multiple controlled burn scenarios. They explain the positive impacts of fire on ecosystems (e.g., reduce hazardous fuels, dispose of logging debris, prepare sites for seeding/planting, improve wildlife habitat, manage competing vegetation, control insects and disease, improve forage for grazing, enhance appearance, improve access, perpetuate fire- dependent species) and compare and contrast how organisms in different ecosystems have adapted to fire. Themes: Controlled burns can improve the Controlled burns help keep capacity of natural areas to absorb people and property safe while and filter water in places where fire supporting the plants and animals has played a role in shaping that that have adapted to this natural ecosystem. part of their ecosystems. 1 | Lesson Plan – Fighting Fire with Fire Introduction: Wildfires often occur naturally when lightning strikes a forest and starts a fire in a forest or grassland. Humans also often accidentally set them. In contrast, controlled burns, also known as prescribed fires, are set by land managers and conservationists to mimic some of the effects of these natural fires.
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Development in Fire Suppression Systems
    Proceedings, 5th AOSFST, Newcastle, Australia, 2001 Editors: M.A. Delichatsios, B.Z. Dlugogorski and E.M. Kennedy RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS A. Kim Institute for Research in Construction National Research Council Canada CANADA ABSTRACT With halon phase-out, there has been a major thrust to find new advanced fire suppression systems in recent years. Some of the newly developed fire suppression systems include halocarbon and inert gaseous agents, water mist systems, compressed-air-foam systems, and aerosol and gas generators. This paper gives a brief description of the newly developed fire suppression systems, and provides technical information on the fire suppression performance of each system as well as the limitations or concerns related to using the new suppression systems. INTRODUCTION The traditional means of providing fire suppression in buildings is a sprinkler system. However, water is not a suitable suppression medium for all types of fires. Water, when sprayed in coarse droplets such as in sprinkler spray, is not effective in suppressing liquid fuel fires. Also, in some cases, water damage is a concern because of the large amount of water used for sprinkler systems. In the 1940’s, an effort was made to develop more effective fire suppression agents. The first systematic search for effective gaseous fire suppressants can be traced to the late 1940s when the Purdue Research Foundation conducted an extensive study of more than 60 chemical compounds for the U.S. army1. This study led to the development of halon chemicals as a superior performing suppression agent. Halon is a chemical agent, which combines hydrogen, carbon, chlorine and bromine atoms.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildfire Prevention Strategies Guide
    A Publication of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildfire Prevention Sponsored by United States Department of Agriculture Strategies United States Department of the Interior National Association of State Foresters PMS 455 March 1998 NFES 1572 Wildfire Prevention Strategies i - WILDFIRE PREVENTION STRATEGIES Preface This Wildfire Prevention Guide is a project of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. This is one in a series designed to provide information and guidance for personnel who have interests and/or responsibilities in fire prevention. Each guide in the series addresses an individual component of a fire prevention program. In addition to providing insight and useful information, each guide suggests implementation strategies and examples for utilizing this information. Each Wildfire Prevention Guide has been developed by Fire Prevention Specialists and subject matter experts in the appropriate area. The goal of this series is to improve and enhance wildfire prevention programs and to facilitate the achievement of NWCG program goals. NWCG Wildfire Prevention Guide development: • Conducting School Programs (1996) • Event Management (1996) • Wildfire Prevention Marketing (1996) • Wildfire Prevention and the Media (1998) • Wildfire Prevention Strategies • Effective Wildfire Prevention Patrol • Recreation Areas • Exhibits and Displays • Equipment, Industrial and Construction Operations • Show Me Trips and Tours WILDFIRE PREVENTION STRATEGIES Preface - ii iii - WILDFIRE PREVENTION STRATEGIES Contents 1.0 Introduction ...........................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Safety Can Make Their Own Property — and Their Neighborhood — Much Safer from Wildfire
    Every year, wildfires burn across the U.S., and more and more people are living where wildfires are a real Wildland risk. But by working together, residents Fire Safety can make their own property — and their neighborhood — much safer from wildfire. Action steps for around your home: AND • CLEAR leaves and other vegetative debris from roofs, gutters, porches and decks. This helps prevent embers DON’T from igniting your home. FOrGET... • REMOVE dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. The more actions a • SCREEN in areas below patios and decks with wire community takes, the mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from more fire adapted it accumulating. becomes. Learn how you • REMOVE flammable materials (wood piles, propane can make a difference in tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and your community. Visit outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can www.fireadapted.org catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch. and www.firewise.org for • Wildfire can spread to tree tops. PRUNE trees so the more information. lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground. • KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. • Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. DISPOSE of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire. • INSPECT shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair the FACT shingles that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist
    FireSafety ENG.qxd:Layout 1 5/29/09 1:35 PM Page 1 Be Red Cross Ready Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help. is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and home fire deaths occur in homes outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries with no working smoke alarms. at least once a year. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape • Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year. plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Prevent home fires Practice fire safety at home In case of fire … Steps You Can Take Now Smoke Alarms Follow Your Escape Plan! ❏ Keep items that can catch on fire at least ❏ Install smoke alarms on every level of Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and three feet away from anything that gets your home, inside bedrooms and outside CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone hot, such as space heaters. sleeping areas. number. ❏ Never smoke in bed. ❏ Teach children what smoke alarms sound ❏ If closed doors or handles are warm, use like and what to do when they hear one. your second way out. Never open doors ❏ Talk to children regularly about the that are warm to the touch. dangers of fire, matches and lighters and ❏ Once a month check whether each alarm keep them out of reach.
    [Show full text]