[acb-diabetics] important to know but off topic

[Patricia LaFrance-Wolf]

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Carol <mailto:morgansmomma at verizon.net>  Taylor 

To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; 

Sent: Friday, June 22, 2012 12:46 PM

Subject: Fire Safety For The Blind

 

Folks:

 

As a retired firefighter and longtime fire-safety educator, I have done a
bit of research on fire safety tips for the blind. 

 

I thought that you may wish to pass this along to your respective mailing
lists (BOLD, Golden Triangle, PCB, etc.)

 

The information is edited from material supplied by the National Fire
Protection Association.

 

With my very best regards,

Bill Hamilton

 

----

 

FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

Fire safety is a vital but often overlooked aspect of health and safety for
people who are blind or visually impaired. The inability to see creates a
greater risk and subsequent challenge in preventing fire injuries. However,
blind or visually impaired individuals can overcome this challenge. Just as
blind individuals must learn basic skills for living using senses other than
sight, they can learn and hone fire-safety skills through repeated practice.

While these tips represent many fire-safety approaches, the use of smoke
alarms and exit planning should be considered the most crucial. According to
the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms are the single most important
piece of fire-safety equipment in use today. Exit planning also is extremely
important, especially for individuals who may have difficulty exiting a
burning building.

 

The following fire safety tips are organized in three sections: preventing
the fire, before the fire and during the fire.

 

Preventing the fire .

1.) Cooking: Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. If you need to
step away from the stove, turn it off. Wear tight-fitting clothing when
cooking over an open flame, and keep towels and potholders away from the
flame. If food or grease catches fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid
over the pan and turning off the heat. Do not try to use water to extinguish
a grease fire. When deep-frying, never fill the pan more than one-third full
of oil or fat. Never put foil or other metals in the microwave. Make sure
the stove is kept clean and free of grease buildup. Turn pot handles away
from the front of the stove so they cannot be knocked off or pulled down.

2.) Electrical safety: Electric blankets should conform to the appropriate
standards and have overheating protection. Do not wash blankets repeatedly
as this can damage their electrical circuitry. If an appliance begins to
smell suspicious or emit smoke, unplug it immediately. Replace all frayed or
broken electrical cords. Never use an appliance with exposed wires. Never
overload extension cords, and keep them out of traffic areas. Use only
appliances evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as
Underwriters Laboratories.

3.) Smoking: Never smoke in bed. Make sure that you are alert when you
smoke. If a gas stove or oxygen source is nearby, do not smoke. Have someone
post signs stating that oxygen is in use and warning visitors to refrain
from smoking. Do not smoke while under the influence of alcohol or if you
are taking prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness or confusion. Never
leave smoking materials unattended, and collect them in large, deep
ashtrays. Check around furniture, especially upholstered furniture, for any
discarded or smoldering smoking materials. Before discarding them, soak the
materials in the ashtray.

4.) Space heaters: Give space heaters plenty of space. Keep heaters at least
3 feet from any combustible material, including people. Follow the
manufacturers' directions regarding operation, fueling, and maintenance of
your space heater. Do not use heaters or other heating devices to dry
clothing.

5.) Heating: Have your heating systems and chimneys checked and cleaned
annually by a professional. Never store fuel for heating equipment in the
home. Keep fuel outside or in a detached storage area or shed.

 

Before the fire .

1.) Identify the nearest emergency exit. Whether you are at home or
elsewhere, you always should know the location of the nearest exit. This
could save your life in an emergency.

2.) Install smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm can make a vital difference
in the event of a fire. It has the potential to reduce the risk of death in
a fatal fire by 60 percent. A properly functioning smoke alarm can alert you
to the presence of deadly smoke while there is still time to escape. Place
alarms next to each sleeping area and on every floor of your home. Test
batteries monthly, and replace them annually. If you cannot do this
yourself, ask a family member, neighbor, building manager, or someone from
the fire department to assist you. Clean smoke alarms by vacuuming them
regularly, or ask someone to do it for you. Install high-decibel smoke
alarms to alert you to the presence of a fire. If your smoke alarms are
hardwired (connected to the electric circuitry of your residence), make sure
they also are equipped with battery backups.

3.) Live near an exit or stay near one when you travel. If you live in an
apartment building or condominium, try to get a unit on the ground floor. If
this is not possible, know where the exit stairwell is located and how to
get there. Plan to wait there for help if you also have an impairment that
prevents you from taking the stairs. If you live in a multistory house, try
to sleep on the ground floor. In any case, make sure a phone is next to your
bed within arm's reach.

4.) Plan and practice escape plans. Knowing your escape plan is one of the
most important steps you can take to save your life in a fire. Plan your
escape around your capabilities. Know at least two exits from every room.
Make sure you can unlock all your doors and windows. Be sure you know how to
open your windows. If security devices such as bars are installed across the
windows, ensure that they release from the inside.

5.) Use indicators to mark exit pathways. The confusion and disorientation
of a fire in the home can be difficult to overcome. You may be forced to
crawl along the floor to avoid smoke. As it can be very disorienting to
crawl where you are used to walking (especially if you count steps to locate
doors and hallways), it is recommended that you place tactile markers along
the baseboard of exit routes inside your home. These will help to identify
where to go in case of a fire.

6.) Involve the fire department. Ask the fire department to help you plan an
escape route, and inform them of your special needs. Ask the fire department
to help identify fire hazards in your home and explain how to correct them.
Any areas you plan to use as a rescue area must be identified and agreed
upon by you and the fire department. Learn the fire department's
limitations, and make fire officials aware of yours.

During the fire .

1.) Get out and stay out. Leave the building as soon as possible. Do not try
to gather identification, personal possessions or attempt to extinguish the
fire. Do not use elevators. Once out, stay out. Do not go back inside.

2.) Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Test doors before opening them. Using
the back of your hand, reach up high and touch the door, the doorknob, and
the space between the door and the frame. If anything feels hot, keep the
door shut and use your second exit. If everything feels cool, open the door
slowly and crawl out low to the ground if smoke is present.

3.) Stay low and go. Crawl low and keep under the smoke if you can. If not,
try to cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make
your way to safety as quickly as possible.

4.) If you are trapped, close all the doors between you and the fire. Stuff
cracks in doors and cover all vents with a damp cloth to the best of your
ability to keep smoke out. If possible, call the fire department and tell
them where you are located. Signal rescuers from a window with a
light-colored cloth that you keep in a designated place for this purpose.

5.) Stop, drop, and roll. If any part of you catches fire, do not run and do
not try to extinguish the flames with your hands. Cover your face with your
hands. Drop to the ground, rolling over and over to smother the flames. If
you have another disability preventing these actions, try to keep a
flame-resistant blanket or rug nearby to smother flames.

 

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