Some notes I took from the ERT training this week (am part of the Emergency Response Team at office), which I thought are very relevant to safety in our houses. Please pass on to others.
NEVER pour water on:
- An Electrical fire - this means, fire in any equipment in your house which is connected to an electric plug point - you will get electrocuted.
- An Oil fire - if something that has oil in it catches fire. The water will spread the fire and make it a huge conflagration.
You need to keep a small Ceasefire fire extinguisher (or the equivalent in your country) at home for such emergencies, they have small ones for household use, which are easy to operate. These cans will either have CO2 or Dry Chemical Powder (DCP).
They should be available in shops - probably JustDial.com, or this number here - http://www.ceasefiresafety.com/contact_us.htm - can tell you of local retailers in India.
Those of you who have small kids at home, please don't take this lightly. Especially these days when you light candles/lamps during power cuts.
Points to Note
If ever a fire breaks out in the house, however small, switch off the electricity at the mains, immediately.
Switch off your gas cylinder not just at the stove, but at the cylinder, whenever you leave the house/in the night. If a rat gnaws the pipe/the pipe is very old and damaged, gas could leak out - and then all you need to do is switch on a light or any electrical appliance - and Boom! - you have a huge fire at your hands.
Gas fires could be too huge for you to control - you need to call the Fire brigade. 101 is the number (in India). Or note down the number of the one closest to you . For Bangalore, check here -http://www.bangalore-karnataka.com/emergency/fireservice.htm.
If you are ever in a place/aircraft where a bomb is suspected, DO NOT use mobile phone/radios - the frequency waves may set off the bomb.
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