Remember the old rule from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”? No, not the one about never forgetting your towel, although that’s good advice as well. It’s the simpler, shorter one: Don’t panic.
Excellent advice in any situation, but absolutely critical as a homeowner. An unfortunate reality of homeownership is that sooner or later, you’re going to be faced with a crisis that needs to be handled right away, where minutes or even seconds count.
Whether it’s a gushing water main break, a gas leak or a falling tree limb breaking a hole in your roof, you need to think fast, act faster and stay calm all at once. That’s easier said than done, but preparation is your greatest asset in these cases.
That’s why the next few editions of this column will walk you through exactly what to do when something goes wrong. We’ll start with one of the most dangerous emergencies to handle: fires in the home.
Fire extinguishers
Experts recommend you keep a fire extinguisher on every floor of the home, especially near the kitchen. Don’t just put it in a corner and forget about it, either. Make sure it’s in an easily accessible place, and that everyone in the house knows where it is and how to use it. Check your extinguisher’s pressure meter monthly to verify that it’s still up-to-date. If the pressure is low, either have a pro recharge it or replace it.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of ratings. ABC rating is the most popular choice for homes, as the powder-based material is effective on wood, paper, cloth, electrical fires, and flammable liquids such as grease and paint — the most common causes of home fires.
Kitchen fires
Most home fires start in the kitchen. The first order of business is not to leave hot cooking unattended; the majority of kitchen fires start when you’re not in the room. If you catch a fire starting, quick action can end it swiftly. Putting a lid on a pan can douse most small fires inside the pan, for instance. If something cloth such as a potholder or towel catches fire, simply tossing it into water will take care of the problem, but make sure never to use water on grease fires, which can often make it worse.
Pouring salt or baking soda on a small fire can douse it quickly. If you notice a fire starting inside an enclosed area, such as the oven, immediately turn off the heat. In many cases, there won’t be enough oxygen inside the area to keep the fire going.
For anything larger than a small flame that you can douse quickly, go straight for the fire extinguisher. And if the fire looks to be getting out of control, don’t be a hero; evacuate the house and call 911 from a safe distance.
Have a plan
Not all fires take place in the kitchen, or even when you’re awake. That’s why it’s vital to have smoke detectors on every floor of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Make an escape plan with your family and practice it, including more than one way to escape each room (in case fire blocks your path.) Emergency ladders come in very handy on second-floor bedrooms.
If all your family members know exactly what to do during a fire, and where to meet afterward, you can reduce the panic and improve everyone’s odds of coming out safely. Don’t forget to make a plan to evacuate any pets as well.
