|
* Your home safety and security handbook
Emergency phone number 000
Ambulance / Police / Fire Brigade
When you phone 000, you will be connected to an operator, who will ask you which service you require - AMBULANCE or FIRE or POLICE.
You will then be asked by the operator of that service for:
Crime Stoppers Hotline 02 6256 7641
Canberra Hospital 02 6244 2222
Calvary Hospital 02 6201 6111
Doctor _______________
Poisons information 131 126
Electricity 131 093
Gas 131 909
Water, sewerage and stormwater 131 193
Local electrician _______________
Local plumber _______________
Phone
If you own a touch phone, key in the following emergency numbers so that you can be dialled by pressing one button:
* Fire Safety
A fire in the house
PREPARE FOR FIRE
In the case of a fire in the house, there are simple rules which the whole household should know about:
Get all occupants together, and plan how everyone can get outside safely.
Make sure there are windows or other exit points to get outside safely. If window locks are fitted, make sure everyone knows how to unlock and open the window.
Select a spot outside your home for an assembly.
IF A FIRE STARTS IN YOUR HOUSE
Remember that smoke is the biggest killer in fires. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth.
Smoke rises. Get down low, and go to the nearest exit, whether it be a window or a door. Yell and bang on walls to let your family know about the danger.
Use the back of your hand on closed doors. If hot, do not open, as the fire is on the other side. Find another way out, or wait at the window for the fire brigade.
DON'T HIDE!
Once outside; go to your assembly place. Ring 000 for the fire brigade from a neighbour's house.
FIRST AID FOR BURNS
Remove the heat source.
Put out flames or remove clothing, wet with cold water.
Apply a large amount of water, by holding the injured part under a running tap, or immersing in a bucket of cold water, or splashing the area with cold water. Continue for 30 minutes. Do not use iced water.
RING FOR AN AMBULANCE FOR
shock
burns
smoke inhalation
REMEMBER:
Don't apply any ointment, cream or lotions.
Don't walk away from a fire scene without first informing the people in attendance of where you are going.
Idea:
Insurance is essential. Not only is the loss of precious items devastating, but the fact that they were not covered by insurance, makes it worse. It is advisable to have special items, such as family albums and heirlooms, placed in a fireproof cabinet, or in a box near the main door. In an emergency, it may be possible to grab that box as you depart.
Fire extinguishers
To protect yourself from the dangers of a fire, you can purchase an
all-purpose fire extinguisher and fire blanket.
Install these in a convenient and accessible place, not near the stove. It's a good idea to install another set in the garage.
Make sure that you will be able to lift and trigger the fire extinguisher.
BURNING PANS
Cooking fat will ignite if the temperature is too high. In such cases, do the following:
Turn off the source of the heat.
Don't attempt to move a burning pan.
Smother the fire with the lid or fire blanket.
Call the fire brigade.
Remember that it is dangerous to pour water on a burning frying pan.
BURNING CLOTHES
If someone's clothes catch on fire, lower them to the ground and roll them.
Treat burns with cool water. Seek immediate medical attention for burns.
CHIMNEY FIRES
If a chimney fire starts, put a screen in place, call the fire brigade, and evacuate.
REMEMBER
Provide escape routes.
Do not lock internal doors.
Locked external doors should have the key left in the lock. Note: locks should not be deadlocked when people are in the house.
Keep stairways and hallways free of obstructions.
Do not use movable kerosene heaters in stairs and hallways, as they can be tripped over during an escape.
Idea:
Fire alarms can be linked together when installed. These units can work on the mains power, and do not require batteries to operate. In houses occupied by older people, it's a good idea to install a system with an external bell which will alert the neighbours.
Smoke alarms
Single point smoke alarms are now freely available from retail outlets. They are easy to install, and can cost less than $20. Hard wired smoke alarms are connected to household electrical supply, and only need a back up battery.
The batteries in smoke alarms should be replaced once a year. Most alarms will emit a regular beep when the battery needs replacing. However, it's a good idea to choose a day of the year, when all smoke alarm batteries are replaced, for example, an anniversary, or when you change your clocks for daylight saving.
PLACING ALARMS
Alarms should be placed between kitchen/living and sleeping areas. Specially designed alarms are required for kitchens. Do not install alarms in bathrooms or laundries.
Where occupants tend to sleep with doors closed, a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom, particularly if heaters or electrical appliances are used in those rooms.
WHAT HAPPENS?
When there is smoke in a room, the smoke alarm will emit a loud piercing sound. People with hearing problems may not hear such sound, and should consider installing a special alarm with a strobe alarm.
TESTING
All alarms should be regularly tested. Please consult the literature supplied by the manufacturer.
FACT: Humans cannot smell smoke while asleep. Smoke detectors replace this sense.
Idea:
When you are purchasing a smoke alarm, make sure it meets the Australian design standard.
Internal fireplaces
COMBUSTION STOVE AND CHIMNEY FIRES
Pot-belly stoves and open fire places have made a staggering comeback into the nation's homes as a cost efficient alternative to electrical or oil heaters.
However, the increase in popularity has also led to an increase in accidental home fires, and associated burns and deaths.
Faulty installation; poor maintenance; a build-up of tar and soot; and carelessness, are the main fire causes of fires in the home.
POT-BELLY/COMBUSTION STOVES
Check your flue pipe installations:
The flue pipe gets very hot, because of it's small outlet, compared to the size of an open fire place chimney, so the pipe must not be in contact with any combustible materials.
Common Errors:
Common errors made by inexperienced fitters include:
Use of unvented appliances.
Installation which is too close to combustible framing and furnishings.
Use of improper and faulty chimneys and flues.
Incorrect placing of flues and spark arrestors.
Idea:
Beware of wood fires in 'sealed rooms'. The depletion of oxygen may cause occupants health problems.
Electrical appliances and cords
TAKING CARE WITH ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Provided electrical appliances are used for the purpose for which they were intended, they are safe.
Using electrical appliances incorrectly, could cause severe electrical shock, and even death.
Common hazards are:
Bar heaters/radiators without a fire screen guard.
Heaters placed too close to furniture or flammable material such as clothing.
Overloaded power points, double adaptors or power boards.
Electrical cords under carpets.
Power points, electrical cords and plugs that are broken, worn or frayed.
Electrical appliances, e.g. hair dryers, electric shavers and portable heaters, in the bathroom near water.
SAFETY SWITCHES
In an electrical accident, a safety switch can save lives.
Safety switches (otherwise called earth leakage circuit breakers) detect a leak of electricity from the system to earth, and instantly switch the circuit off.
Statistics show that (over the last five years) had safety switches been fitted in homes, 89% of deaths through electrical faults, could have been prevented. Have a licensed electrical contractor install your safety switch.
WARNING: Safety switches only protect against shocks from current passing through the body to earth, which is the most frequent cause of electrocution. Complete protection under all circumstances is not possible from these or any other devices.
FIRES IN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
When attempting to extinguish a fire involving an electrical appliance, or a fire near electrical wiring, NEVER USE WATER. Water may result in short circuits, and fires in new areas. Water is also a conductor of electricity. If you touch an appliance in contact with water, there is the danger of electrocution. If a small electrical appliance catches on fire, follow these procedures:
1. Switch off the appliance.
2. Pull out the plug.
3. Use a dry chemical powder or CO2 fire extinguisher.
4. Call fire brigade on 000.
Idea:
Treat a tingle as a danger signal. The slightest shock is your warning to switch OFF.
Fires from furnishings
Fires in houses can start in the furnishings - curtains, upholstered lounge suites, seating, beds and bedding, even carpets.
The fire hazard associated with an item of furnishing, depends on many factors, including the materials from which the item is made; how those materials are combined; its design; its use; and its location to unguarded fire and electrical ignition.
CURTAINS
Curtains are often either the first furnishings to ignite, or are the means by which a fire spreads from the floor to the ceiling of a room.
Keep curtains well away from cooking stoves, radiators and open fires. An ignition source could easily ignite the grease and dust collected by the curtains.
The plastic coating on fibreglass can burn, even though the glass fibres will not.
Wool fabrics generally are difficult to ignite, and burn slowly. Heavyweight, closely woven fabric is recommended in place of open weave fabric.
Some polymer treatments in lining fabric, can also increase the amount of heat and smoke released when the lining burns.
UPHOLSTERED SEATING
Furniture which causes the greatest concern to the fire service, is the padding used in upholstered chairs and lounges and bags. In particular, the use of polyurethane foam.
These furnishings are frequently ignited first in house fires, and the smoke and carbon monoxide gases produced, can be responsible for injury or death:
Polyurethene foam covered with cotton, rayon or linen fabrics, can be ignited by a smouldering cigarette, whereas foam covered with synthetic wool, vinyl coated fabric or leather generally cannot.
Foams covered with cotton, rayon linen or synthetic fabrics, can also be ignited by a small flame. Those covered with wool, vinyl or leather, generally cannot.
The design of the upholstered chair or lounge, is also important in determining its fire safety. Look for designs which will not retain or trap small ignition sources, such as cigarettes or matches.
Chairs with fixed rather than loose cushions, with no crevices between the seat and the back or arms of the chair, have no traps into which ignition sources can fall.
Idea:
If your clothes catch fire - stop, gently drop to the ground, and roll. Put your hands over your face.
Electric blankets
DO NOT:
Do not wash or spin an electric blanket in a washing machine.
Do not dry a blanket in a dryer, or in front of a radiator.
Do not pile heavy clothes, or place heavy articles on a bed, on which there is an electric blanket.
Do not poke the blanket with sharp objects such as knitting needles.
Do not use drycleaning fluids, and do not iron.
Do not use an electric blanket designed for a double bed, on a single bed.
Do not place an electric blanket under the pillow, or tuck in the wired area.
Do not use with water beds. There are specially designed and approved heating pads available for this purpose.
Some of the more important points are as follows.
electric blankets should not be used for infants, invalids, or persons sensitive to heat;
invalids and some elderly people can dehydrate quickly, and sustain burns at lower temperatures;
they may not be able to escape from the bed, or turn the blanket 'off' when in difficulty.
SWITCH OFF
Believe it or not, around half the reported cases of scorching and fire, have occurred in the daytime, after blankets have been left switched on, unattended. Take special care, and switch off your electric blanket, after use!
The life expectancy of an electric blanket is four to five years. Like any other appliance, your blanket cannot be expected to last forever, and the time will come when it should be replaced. At this stage, it probably 'owes you nothing' and the relatively small cost involved is minor compared with the risk of fire.
STORING YOUR ELECTRIC BLANKET
If your electric blanket is to be stored when not in use, it should not be folded or creased, since this can cause damage to the heating element.
It is preferable to roll the blanket loosely around a cardboard cylinder or piece of corrugated paper, or simply leave it on the bed, flat, all year round.
YOUR SAFETY CHECKLIST
Important: Check your blanket - especially before each winter.
Check the flexible cord of the blanket, for any cracking or deterioration, particularly around the control switch.
Check that the heating elements are fully anchored to the blanket by stitching.
Check the blanket for wear, and look closely for any scorch marks.
Also check that there are no tears or damage to the blanket itself. Then turn the blanket on, and let it heat up for about 20 minutes. Move the palm of your hand over the heating element area, to check for 'hot' spots. A hot spot is an indication of damage to the heating element in the blanket.
Should the blanket fail to pass any of these checks, it should not be used until checked by a licensed electrician.
Idea:
Never tuck the electrical cord(s) or coils under the mattress.
Smoking
If you do smoke, please follow the safety rules below.
Use only deep, wide ashtrays with grooves for cigarettes.
Never smoke in bed, and never smoke if you are drowsy.
Never leave lit cigarettes in ashtrays.
Wet ashes or cigarette butts in water before throwing them into a trash can.
Check ashtrays and furniture before leaving the house or going to bed.
Idea:
Contrary to common belief, humans cannot smell smoke while asleep. Nine out of ten fire victims are killed by smoke or toxic gasses, before the fire brigade is even called; long before the flames reach them. This is why it is vital to have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home.
Garage/workshop - flammable liquids
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
People are often unaware of the dangers of flammable liquids.
Check for the "Flammable Liquid" sign on the label of the can, package or aerosol container, to see if the contents are flammable.
If they are, store out of a child's reach, in properly labelled and sealed containers, away from heat or open flame, with proper ventilation.
Below is a common list of flammable liquids used at home and work:
Petrol
Kerosene
Butane
Paint
Cleaning fluids/rags
Cooking oils
Glues
Insecticides
Most aerosol cans
Methylated spirits
LPG
Turpentine
Thinners
Store and use these products correctly, away from heat and open flames. Small sparks and flame can make the invisible vapours from these liquids ignite.
Many insecticides are sold in aerosol containers which may have flammable contents.
Check the labels, and never use flammable products near heat, e.g. using a hair dryer while applying hair spray, smoking while using nail polish.
Chlorine should be stored separately in a dry clean area.
Oily rags or polishing rags can ignite by themselves. Air them after use and keep them clean.
Idea:
Good lighting can prevent injuries, especially in an area where power tools are used.
* General Safety
House numbers
It is very important that your house number be clearly identified to assist Emergency Services in your time of need.
Your house number should be at least ten centimetres high, and its colour should be different from the background. They should be easily seen from the street during the day and night.
Idea:
If living alone, do not publicise the fact. If you choose to have your name on your letter box, use your surname only.
Disconnecting gas and electricity
TURNING YOUR METERS OFF
It is important to know how in an emergency, to disconnect both power and gas, by means of the main switch and shut off valve. This of course is only to be done if safe to do so.
Safety outside the home
Consider painting slippery paths, with non-slip paint, or roughing the concrete.
Use hand rails where necessary - have them installed near steps and stairs. Make sure you have easy-to-grip rails next to all steps and stairs. Handrails should extend 300mm (12") beyond bottom and top steps.
Consider replacing stairs with ramps.
A raised garden can save your back.
There are lots of garden gadgets and tools that can make gardening easier, but make sure that you keep them safely out of the way, or they could become a hazard, rather than a help, e.g. people can trip over hoses or tools.
Make sure steps, paths and entrances are well lit at night.
Keep shrubbery clipped, so that pathways and steps are clear.
Keep paths, paving and steps in good repair. Fix cracks, holes, and loose or uneven sections.
Paths covered in leaves are dangerous when wet. Outside steps and stairs are often slippery when wet. There are products available to kill moss, fungi and lichen, to make these areas safer. Are all outdoor steps and paths clear of hazards such as branches?
Keep the garage floor and driveway, free of grease.
Find a secure place for all your tools and gardening implements. Always put them away, when you have finished with them.
Mark the leading edges of outside steps. There are special paints and slip resistant strips available.
Wider paths are often safer.
Confine landscaping materials, such as gravel and small river pebbles - they can cause falls.
Trailing hoses can be dangerous, so winding and storing them after use is recommended.
Idea:
Painting walls beside a frequently used passage, with white paint, will help lighten the area, and make it easier for people with impaired vision.
Don't install handrails that are hard to grab, such as large, square or rectangular sections. The easier handrail to hold, is one made of a round section, not more than 40mm (1-3/4") in diameter.
Safety inside the home
LIGHTING
Lighting needs to be bright, but not too bright. Light switches
should be easy-to-reach, and near doorways (extra large switches are available), at both ends of the hall, and at the tops and bottom of the stairs. Keep hallways well lit at night - night lights, or blue or green light bulbs give a soft glow. Allow time for your eyes to adjust, when going to and from light and dark areas.
STEPS & LADDERS
Non-skid adhesive strips, attached to each step, act as a highlight in
dark areas, and for people with reduced vision. Highlight the leading edge of each step. Hand rails should be securely fixed both sides of the stairs.
Position frequently used items, to reduce the need for ladders. Ensure your step ladder is in good condition.
FLOORS
Anything placed on polished floors or tiles, can act like a skateboard. Glazed ceramic tiles are particularly dangerous, especially when wet. There are various liquid products that can be applied to existing floor surfaces by brush, roller or spray, to achieve a slip-resistant effect. If you are building or renovating, choose non-slip flooring, such as slip-resistant tiles or vinyl, or matt-finish cork.
Remember that soap or other cleaning agents can turn a slip-resistant floor, into a slippery one - rinse floors thoroughly when washing, to remove any slippery film. Clean any spills as soon as they occur, and keep floors free of clutter. You can buy anti-slip products, to place under loose rugs or mats.
CARPETS
Check for worn carpet and loose flooring. Tape or tack down the edges of floor coverings, if they are beginning to curl. Hide worn patches with a small rug or mat - these can be tacked down, or given an anti-slip backing. There are several special underlays on the market, which will hold a mat securely in place, on a variety of surfaces. Consult a carpet expert about the best underlay for your situation.
Idea:
Food should be stored separately from toxic products such as cleaners.
PHONES
Is your telephone easy to reach and use? Consider having an extension socket or second phone installed, perhaps in your bedroom.
Your nearest Telstra Business Office can tell you what it will cost. Cordless phones can be carried around the house, and eliminate hazardous cords.
FURNITURE
If possible, arrange the furniture, so that you can move freely about your house. Keep walkways clear of hazards such as low furniture, loose rugs, electrical cords and toys.
Fix draught stoppers to doors, rather than using loose ones.
ELECTRICAL
Frayed insulation on electrical cord (including electric blankets),
damaged or deteriorating power points, plugs and appliances, should be repaired or replaced. When replacing appliances, select those with an automatic cut-out, if possible.
Use a power board, rather than double adaptors, or, better still, have multiple power points installed. Avoid using extension cords.
Pull out plugs by gripping the plug, not the cord.
Electrical cords and phone cables are best run beside the walls. This allows work and walk areas to be kept clear.
Safety in the kitchen
Try to have power points placed where they are easy to reach.
Put items for everyday use, where they can be easily reached - waist level is best.
If you have a table and chairs, try to choose one with four sturdy legs, rather than 3-legged stools or pedestal tables.
Keep electrical appliances away from the sink.
Cordless irons and kettles are a good idea.
Kettles with wide bases are more stable.
Avoid filling the kettle to the top.
Make sure the floor surface is non-slip, and always clean spills as quickly as possible.
If you have difficulty turning off stove knobs, etc, there are gadgets to help you.
If you have floor mats, make sure they have a non-slip backing.
A low step ladder with a high handrail on top, is safer than a chair for reaching, climbing or changing a light bulb. Make sure that it is sturdy.
Good lighting is important, especially over working surfaces.
Use power boards in place of double adaptors.
Ensure good ventilation, to avoid eye glasses fogging and reduced vision.
REMEMBER: The National Safety Council estimates that 14% of all people who die from clothing fires, are over 65 years of age. Long sleeves are more likely to catch fire, than are short sleeves. Long sleeves are also more likely to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans, and causing scalds.
Idea:
Roll back long loose sleeves or fasten them with pins or elastic bands while you are cooking.
Safety in the bathroom
Avoid slippery surfaces on the floor, and don't have mats in the bathroom.
If you have a slip-resistant rubber mat in the bath or shower, make sure that there is good suction between the mat and the surface it rests on. Take it up and clean off mould frequently, to keep it slip resistant. Good hardware stores sell textured strips, which can be stuck on the bathtub, the shower recess or bathroom floor to prevent slipping.
If you change baths, consider buying a bath with a built-in non slip surface.
Consider having grab-rails installed in the bath, shower, and near the toilet. An occupational therapist can advise you about the correct position for grab rails. They need to be installed properly, to take the weight of a person. Ordinary towel rails will not take this weight.
To make washing easier, install a bath seat and/or a hand held shower hose.
Avoid scalding yourself, by running the cold tap in the bath first, and test the water temperature before getting in.
Consider altering the shower access, so that you don't need to step over anything to get into it.
Toilet seats are sometimes uncomfortably low for older people - elevated seats are available.
Some hot tap water can scald. Mixing taps are available to regulate the water temperature.
Avoid using electrical appliances in the bathroom, e.g. hair dryers.
If you're building or renovating, install recessed soap-holders and toilet roll holders. Make sure sliding doors don't open onto a narrow sloping surface. Eliminate any little 'lip' at the entrance to tiled areas, by fitting a timber wedge the width of the doorway - it can go underneath the carpet. Consider installing a shower without a hob.
Install hinges on bathroom doors, which allow the door to be lifted out in an emergency.
Idea:
Turn the thermostat in your water heater down to around 50 Degrees Celsius.
Working safely
WORKING WITH A LADDER OR STEP LADDER
Work slowly, give yourself breaks, stop and stretch, stop when tired.
Never stand on the top rung of a step ladder. Work should be limited to the second highest or lower rungs.
When on a ladder/step ladder, work only on parts that are within easy reach. Don't lean over.
When you have finished using the ladder, put it away.
LIFTING AND PUSHING
Always lift with a straight back. When lifting from the floor level, bend arms, knees and hips towards the object, with your feet slightly apart, but in line with the hips, and one foot a fraction in front of the other. Keep the weight close to the body, and keep your chin in.
If you are pushing a heavy object, keep your arms bent.
Shovel in a straight line (rather than 'shovel and twist') and only half a shovel full at a time.
Get help when moving bulky or heavy loads.
WORKING WITH TOOLS
Never use the blunt end of an axe head as a hammer.
The most dangerous tools are blunt ones - keep your tools in good repair.
Choose clothes and footwear to fit the occasion. Glove up.
Substances that need special care, include ammonia, caustic soda turpentine, and other paint thinners, any acids - wear rubber gloves, avoid spills, wash from the skin immediately.
Use the right tool for the job.
Put tools away as soon as you've finished with them.
Use a face mask when sawing or sanding timbers, and work in well-ventilated areas.
When using tools such as electric drills, grinders and electric saws, wear tight clothes, with no loose ends that may get caught in the tool.
When using electric tools that are not plugged into a power point with a safety switch, use a special power board fitted with an earth leakage detector unit. This will prevent the possibility of receiving electric shocks.
PROTECTION
Ensure that you have the following safety items readily available in the garage or shed:
Quality multi-purpose safety goggles (you can purchase polycarbonate type that are excellent).
Gloves.
Shoes (robust with good grip).
Ear muffs.
Face masks for light dusty work.
Face mask with removable cartridge for working with chemicals.
Hand cream such as 'Protectolene'.
If possible, let someone know that you are using electrical tools in case of accidents.
Idea:
A torch should always be available for use in an emergency, such as power failure, blown fuse, smoky atmosphere etc. Batteries should be changed regularly, to ensure the torch operates correctly when required.
Click here to continue...
Home Page
******************************
This Community Support Website
is
Powered by MD Web Hosting
|
