DO’S AND DON’TS

Buildings: Offices and Residences

Do’s:-

• Install smoke alarms.
• Place smoke alarms on every level in the building.
• Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.
• Review escapes routes with your family.
• Make sure windows are not nailed or permanently shut.
• Consider escape ladders if your building has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside.
• Clean out storage areas.
• Never use gasoline, benzene, naphtha, or similar flammable liquids indoors.
• Store flammable liquids in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.
• Be careful when using alternative heating sources.
• Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
• Have the electrical wiring in your building checked by an electrician.
• Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
• Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
• Escape through a window, if door is hot. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-coloured sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.
• Open the door slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route.
• Crawl hugging to ground to save from inhaling smoke while escaping through building on fire.

Don’ts:-

• Do not loose calm.

• Do not paint over smoke/heat detectors.

• Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, etc., accumulate.

• Do not smoke near flammable liquids.

• Do not smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated.

• Do not overload extension cords or outlets, if you need to plug in two or three appliances.

• Do not leave electrical appliances or equipment continued to be energized when they are not in use, especially after office/working hours.

• Do not put liquid or thing that is flammable or combustible near an electrical switchboard or an enclosure containing electrical components.

• Do not touch bare electrical wiring.

• Do not enter a damaged building, if you detect heat or smoke.

• Do not try to open a safe or strong box as it could hold intense heat for several hours.

• Do not use cardboard boxes, wooden crates or other receptacles that are made of combustible material as makeshift rubbish bins at your place.

• Do not accumulate unwanted items at your place.

• Do not use corridors, walkways or passageways that form part of the emergency escape route at your place.

• Do not remove ceiling boards or use ceiling voids for storage.

• Do not use fragile containers to store flammable liquids.

• Do not use or operate dirty or greasy equipment/machinery.

• Do not leave heavy machinery operating or running unattended.

• Do not run through the smoke. People die more by inhaling smoke than from fire.

Fire Safety in Schools

Do’s:-

• Train teachers/school staff in fire safety.

• Ensure presence of sufficient exit routes.

• Make students aware about the do’s & don’ts.

• Put up an emergency plan and fire notices in place.

• Keep electrical inspection and testing up to date and carry out repairs.

• Secure safe location of kitchen and its safety.

• Check the adequacy of fire fighting apparatus and its maintenance.

• Ensure fire escape routes and fire exit doors/ passageways are unobstructed and doors open correctly.

• Keep first aid kits ready.

• Conduct fire drills.

• Consult local fire brigade and implement its recommendations.

• Exit from the school to an open area.

• Execute evacuation plan and practice fire drills.

• Call the Fire Brigade.

• If the room is filled with smoke, ask children to stay low to the ground during exit.

• Identify the fire hazards and areas where fire might start in the school.

• Feel any closed door to see if they are hot before they are opened.

• If the door is hot, use the nearest window or another exit.

• Comfort distressed children.

• Alert the nearest hospital/authority.

• Ensure that all students have reached their homes safely.

• Review the fire risk management plan and evacuation plan.

Don’ts:-

• Do not issue license without checking up the safety of the school building.

• Do not allow children and teachers to panic.

• Do not let anyone hide. Ensure that nobody is trapped in toilets/indoors.

• Do not try to contain the fire, if not possible.

• Do not re- enter or permit anyone to enter the school building, unless the fire officials have given permission to enter.

• Do not allow children to leave alone, or to betaken home by strangers.

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