What To Do In A Fire
Warning: attempting to extinguish the fire may be a viable option depending on the stage and type of incident. Do not jeopardize your life or that of your loved ones to fight a fire. See further below for details regarding fire extinguishers.
1) Know how to operate a fire extinguisher (see below).
2) Exit the area and CALL 9-1-1 to report incident.
3) Alert everyone by yelling “Fire” several times while exiting (use stairs, not the elevators)
4) If smoke obscures your vision, then get low and close doors behind you.
5) If the fire blocks your exit, then find a room of refuge and place a wet towel under the door.
6) When in refuge notify 9-1-1 of your location and open a window to signal emergency personnel.
Note: Fires double in size every 30 seconds. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
Fire Prevention and Awareness
Firefighting starts with fire prevention. Fire prevention starts with you.
The American Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters year – one every eight minutes – and most of them are home fires. “There are two easy steps to increase your chance of surviving a fire: create and practice a fire escape plan, and install and maintain smoke alarms,” says Jill Orton, CEO of the American Red.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms. Test smoke alarms once a month. Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and practice escaping your home in two minutes or less. Never disable a smoke alarm.
Teach your children not to be afraid of firefighters. Visit the Ralston Fire and Rescue department to meet us, see our gear, and learn about fire safety!
Youth Firesetter Intervention
Children of all ages annual set 100,000 fires annually with 81% chance fire play will be repeated. Juveniles start 50% of all arson fires in our city and across the country.
Never use matches and lighters as a source of amusement and store out of sight. If you suspect your child is playing with fire or unduly fascinated, get help immediately from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Youth Firesetting Prevention and Intervention or Omaha Fire’s Firesetter Intervention Program.
Program ages 8-18 years teaches the power of fire, consequences of playing with fire, fire prevention and how to survive a fire.
Program ages 3-7 the education program teaches fire safety based on The NFPA’s The Learn Not To Burn Program.
View UNO Marketing Capstone awareness video.
View KETV NewsWatch 7 program coverage)
Parents: Fire Safety for your Household
Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) examples of fire safety needed in a family child care homes:
- Two unblocked exits on every floor; one door outside accessible and an egress window (>44″ above floor, clearing 5.7′).
- Furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and other heaters must be inaccessible to children and 3 ft away from objects.
- All storage areas must be free of excess combustibles or highly flammable materials.
- Bathroom and closet doors must be designed so they can be unlocked from the outside.
- Operating smoke alarm system; one each level, one outside of sleeping rooms, one within each sleeping room
- Operating CO2 detectors placed central (carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless)
- Do not operate gas powered appliances within your home and do not heat living space with appliances (stove, dryer, etc.)
- During a power outage utilize battery operated light sources instead of candles
Note: This is not a complete list of all fire safety requirements. Local fire regulations may be more restrictive. Consult your local or state fire marshal for more information.
RALSTON FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT 