In The Home The vast majority of structure fires occur in dwellings where the inhabitance have forgotten simple fire safety tips and never knew how to respond in an emergency. Here we have provided some fire safety information for a number of places and situations. For more information, fill in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
The stove - most common structure fire
Always keep a hot/turned on stove under supervision.
Don't use too much oil. The fire triangle (the equation for any fire to start) is fuel, heat and oxygen. There is already oxygen in the room, the stove is providing the heat and the oil is fuel so only use what you need.
If there is a fire, use a class F fire extinguisher (cream, white or black coloured), fire blanket or any other fire-resistant object that can smoother the flames (removing the oxygen).
Do NOT attempt to put out an oil fire with water, when combined with an oil fire, for every 10ml of water added, a one-metre fire burst is created.
The bedroom heater - second most common structure fire
The heater is more dangerous as you are more likely to be asleep when the fire starts.
A simple step is just to put the heater at least one metre away from any flammable materials especially curtains and turn it down when you go to bed if possible.
General advice
Have a working smoke alarm preferably in every room but if not possible on every floor but avoid putting one near the kitchen.
Have at least one AB(E) or B(E) fire extinguisher (white coloured) in the house or one per floor preferably.
Regularly familiarise yourself with your fire extinguisher learning how they work (without discharging) and making sure they are charged up. If you discharge your fire extinguisher in any way or it indicates that it needs charging then you need to either dispose of it (depending on the brand) or have it recharged at a local fire station or fire equipment dealer.
Make a fire escape plan NOW. This will let you figure out how to escape the house/room if a fire starts before the emergency happens, planning in a calm environment significantly reduces injuries and fatality likelihood. You should also plan two separate escape routes per room in case one is blocked.
Once a fire has started, get down and go towards the exit. Do not stand up as smoke rises, once you can leave the burning house, do not go back in under any circumstances.
Smoke is the biggest killer in any fire and will get you long before the flames do.
Going back into a fire for any reason significantly increases the risk of death, NEVER re-enter a burnt building without permission from the fire service/department. There have been too many instances of children going back into a burning house for pet and never making it out again.
Be aware that fire extinguishers have a limited volume and their limited capabilities may surprise you. The normal fire extinguisher can last 20 seconds so be mindful that if it's bigger than a car engine size fire then getting a hose may be better.
Non-dwelling Structure fire
While many countries have fire safety codes that must be adhered to by law, it is always good to think about a fire situation if you are unfamiliar with the building or room. Just ask yourself:
Where is the nearest useable exit?
If that exit becomes unusable, where can I go next?
Where are the smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, do they work?
If on a multi-story building, are there fire escape stairs?
Is there a Public Announcement system, Automatic Fire Alarm or other fire alarm system?
In most countries, if you feel you are in danger in a workplace (room with no fire safety features) then you can refuse to enter or demand to leave without legal repercussions or be fired. Check your countries regulations and company policies before starting.
Information provided by first responders, offical fire department and government sources. Always read the instructions of fire safety equipment before use.