Fire Prevention & Safety
Fire prevention is a function of the Hudson Community Fire Protection District. The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful fires, and be educated about surviving them. It is a proactive method of reducing emergencies and the damage caused by them. The following information is intended as overview, to give you some ideas and encourage you to seek more information to make you and your familiar safe. We encourage you to read this information and then follow the links and learn more about each particular area of fire prevention and safety.
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Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms save lives. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Here's what you need to know!
Here's what you need to know!
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
- Test your smoke alarms every month.
- When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
- Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years
- More about staying safe with smoke alarms
Fire Extinguishers
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.
Here's what you need to know
Here's what you need to know
- Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
- To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
- For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
- Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
- Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher trainings.
- Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
- Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.
Escape Planning
Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. In 2013, there were an estimated 369,500 reported home structure fires and 2,755 associated civilian deaths in the United States. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm. For easy planning, download an escape planning grid from the NFPA website by clicking the Learn More link below. This is a great way to get children involved in fire safety in a non-threatening way.
Fire Safety for Care Givers of Children
If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have less than 3 minutes to get everyone out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Young children (especially ages 0 to 4) are at a higher risk of death or injury from a home fire than older children. Make sure your home is safe from fire and that your family is prepared. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reviews and collects resources that can be used in public outreach activities to help keep children safe from fire. Explore these materials to learn more about discussing fire safety for children with parents, teachers and other caregivers.
Fire Safety Activities for Children
The official Sparky the Fire Dog® website allows kids to explore and learn about fire safety in a safe and interactive environment. The popular ad-free site features sections for children of all ages, even providing voice-overs for younger children who cannot read yet. The diverse activities range from a fire truck section, cartoons, family activities, seasonal Sparky e-cards for kids to send to friends and family, and parent and educator information