lefrak city courier | www.qns.com | JLUY 2018 27
Use the following checklist as
a guide to identify possible
fire safety problems in your
apartment. If you answer “no” to any
question below, the potential hazard
should be corrected immediately to
reduce your risk and increase your
preparedness for fire. Contact LeFrak
City Maintenance Services to help
remedy any safety issues.
• Do you have at least one operable
smoke alarm?
• Do you have at least one operable
carbon monoxide alarm?
• Are all electrical cords in good
condition, not frayed or cracked?
• Are all electrical cords in the open,
not run under rugs or through
doorways?
• Is your apartment free from storage
of flammable products?
• Are space heaters placed at least
three feet from combustibles?
• Are space heaters plugged directly
into wall sockets and not into extension
cords?
• Is your fire escape window clear
and unobstructed?
• Can all windows be opened easily
from the inside?
• Do you have operable flashlights
handy?
• Do you have a fire escape plan?
Heating
As temperatures drop, it’s important
to remember heat safety. Heating
equipment is the second leading
cause of U.S. home fires and homefire
deaths. To remain safe during
the fall and winter chill, remember:
• Keep a three-foot clearance between
all heating equipment and
anything that can burn.
• Do not use your oven to heat your
home.
• When buying a new space heater,
make sure it has a label showing
that it has been tested by a recognized
testing laboratory.
• Space heaters should be turned off
every time you leave the room and
before going to bed.
• Space heater power cords should
be plugged directly into a wall
outlet and never into an extension
cord.
• Always supervise children when
space heaters are being used.
Alwa ys be ca utious
when cooking
Cooking is the main cause of home
fires and injuries in the U.S., and the
leading cause of cooking fires is unattended
cooking. Always follow these
precautions when cooking:
• Stay alert and check on cooking
regularly.
• Make sure there is always an adult
in the kitchen when the stove is on.
• Keep kids away from cooking area.
• Always turn the stove off when
leaving the kitchen, even for a moment.
• Keep flammable items away from
heat, such as potholders and oven
mitts, bags and boxes, towels and
curtains.
• Install and use cooking appliances
according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom
and outside each sleeping area.
• Test smoke alarms regularly.
Be very ca reful
with candl es
To prevent a candle-fire in your
home, always follow these safeguards:
• Never leave burning candles unattended;
be sure to blow them out
whenever you leave a room, even
for a short time.
• Do not keep candles within reach
of children.
• Be sure to extinguish all candles
completely before going to sleep.
• Do not burn candles near any flammable
items such as fabric or paper.
If a fire breaks out in your apartment:
• Get everyone out immediately and
stay low as you go.
• Use the safest and most accessible
exit (test doorknobs).
• CLOSE ALL DOORS as you leave.
• If using an interior stairway, alert
people on your floor by knocking
on their doors on your way out.
• DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR.
• Call 911 once you reach a safe location.
Teach your
children the facts
about fire:
Many children will try to hide from
a fire, often in a closet, under a bed,
or in a corner. But if taught basic fire
facts, they’d be better able to protect
themselves.
Teach your kids that fires spread
quickly, that most fire-related deaths
are not from burns but from smoke
inhalation, and that dangerous fumes
can overcome a person in just a few
minutes.
Kids should learn
to:
• Cover their mouths and noses with
a moist towel or an article of clothing
to keep out dangerous fumes
while evacuating
• Crawl under the smoke to safety,
staying as low to the ground as possible,
because smoke always rises
• Touch any door (not the doorknob)
to see if it is hot. If it is, do
not open it— find another exit
• Locate the nearest stairway marked
“Fire Exit”
• Always avoid elevators during a fire
• Never stop to take personal belongings
or pets
• Never stop to make a phone call
(even to 911) while evacuating
• Never go back into a burning
building once safely outside
• Stop, drop, and roll to extinguish
flames if an article of clothing
catches on fire
• Kids should also always be dressed
for bed in flame-retardant sleepwear.
ABCs of Fire
Prevention
Do you pass the checklist?
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