Mar 17, 2011 10:30 AM
Disasters usually strike suddenly with very little time for us to react. Thus, the more prepared we are, the better we can minimize emotional trauma and physical losses. Disasters disrupt thousands of lives every year and have lasting effects on both people and property. Adhering to the guidelines of APAD is helpful:
• Awareness: Awareness of and education about types of disasters and their impact.
• Preparedness: Preparing disaster plans and disaster kits and holding frequent drills to practice prompt and smooth response. Preparedness will also prevent some disasters.
• Action: Acting swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes.
• Debriefing: Following emergencies, hold debriefing sessions for all involved in order improve preparedness for future events.
Preparing for disaster is a team effort, and planning is carried out at multiple levels: the personal home and family level; the local neighborhood (including home owners association) level; the citywide level; and at the state and, sometimes, federal levels.
Disaster may strike in one of several forms:
• acts of nature such as tornado's, floods, winter storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes;
• accidents such as fires, automobile accidents, plane crashes, or chemical spills;
• willful acts of deadly intent such as terrorist’s attacks, including the use of bombs or chemical and biological weapons; or
• diseases such as avian influenza or cholera reaching epidemic or pandemic scale.
Here in Tennessee, we might be called upon to deal with any of these events. Fire, an almost universal danger, can break out in apartments, personal homes, and commercial buildings. Tornados, floods, and winter storms are all too common occurrences in the mid-South, and planes crashes and automobiles accidents can happen anywhere. The same can be said of epidemics and pandemics. Also, Tennessee is more likely to experience a serious earthquake than many people realize because of its proximity to the New Madrid fault near Memphis. And, though we do not experience hurricanes directly, we Tennesseans have received victims displaced by storms hitting the Gulf coast.
All of these dangers deserve our attention. This article deals particularly with fire and winter storm situations.
Fires: Mostly accidental, though occasionally the work of arsonists, fires spread quickly, and the heat and smoke can be more dangerous than the flames. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths. Most fire deaths occur at home, and nearly 3,000 thousand people die from home fires every year. Additionally, fires cause approximately 6.7 billion dollars in direct property damage in United States. On average, home fires kill one person every three hours. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. In nearly 65 percent of home fires, there is no working smoke alarm. Professional fire fighters are well trained and will respond as quickly as possible to rescue people and save property. However, because fire spreads so rapidly and usually occurs when we are not at home or when we are sleeping, we, or our neighbors, are the first responders to most fires. We should, therefore, be proactive in our readiness for this unforeseeable and sudden event. Fires usually occur as a result of one of the circumstances below.
• Open flames such as candles, matches, cigarettes, fireplaces, and gas stoves.
• Cooking fires caused by unattended pans overheating oil or other fats.
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Natural gas, propane, or gasoline-fueled explosions.
• Misuse of space heaters.
• Lightning strikes.
• Wild fires and explosions.
Besides causing surface burns on our bodies, fire can result in serious, even fatal, damage to the lungs from inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide. Also, the high temperatures generated by fire can cause damage even without direct contact with flame.
Practicing Fire-Safety through awareness and preparedness is essential. Proper use and maintenance of fire-safety devices discussed below will provide early warning and rapid response to imminent danger.
Smoke Detectors. These devices have two parts, a sensor and an alarm. The alarm is usually audible, but some have talking features, and some use a strobe light warning. Detectors are either wired into the household security system (burglar alarm), or they are battery operated. There are two different designs, photoelectric and ionizing. Photo-electrics are better in detecting smoking or smoldering fires, whereas ionizers are good at detecting high-flame fires. Select a detector with a lithium battery designed to last for 10 years and with a low battery alert beep.
Installation and Placement. In the United States, law requires that smoke detectors be placed on every habitable level of the house and in the vicinity of all bedrooms. Habitable levels include attics that are tall enough to allow access. New constructions require that smoke detectors be hooked directly to electrical wiring, be interconnected to each other, and have a battery backup.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless compound that is produced by incomplete combustion and is lethal in high concentrations. Open flames, space heaters, a blocked chimney, or a car running inside a closed garage can produce carbon monoxide in homes. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills about 500 people annually in this country. Detectors are available as stand-alone devices or in combination with smoke detectors.
Fire Extinguishers. A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires. Newer extinguishers are compact and much easier to use than bulky older models. There are two main types of extinguishers: stored pressure and generated pressure. In stored pressure units, the most common type of extinguisher, the expellant gas is stored in the same unit as the fire-fighting agent itself. Less common cartridge-operated extinguishers contain expellant gas in a separate cartridge that is punctured prior to discharge, exposing the expellant to the agent. Depending on the fire-fighting agent, different propellants are used. With dry chemical extinguishers, nitrogen is the typical propellant, while air is typical when foam and water are used as the fire fighting agents. There is no official standard in United States for the color of fire extinguishers, though they are typically red. Class D extinguishers, used to extinguish combustible metal fires, are usually yellow. Extinguishers using water as the fire-fighting agent are typically silver or white.
Since most of us have never used a fire extinguisher and don’t know how to operate one, asking your local fire station for a demonstration is a good idea.
The following table classifies different fires and recommends specific extinguishers identified by a specific symbol and pictogram
Fire Class-A,Geometric Symbol-Green Triangle,Pictogram-Garbage can and wood pile burning,Intended Use-Ordinary solid combustibles,Mnemonic-
Think A for anything that leaves ash.
Fire Class-B,Geometric Symbol-Red Square,Pictogram-Fuel container and burning puddle,Intended Use-Flammable liquids and gases,Mnemonic-Think B for anything in a barrel - gas, oil, etc.
Fire Class-C,Geometric Symbol-Blue Circle,Pictogram-Electric plug wand burning outlet,Intended Use-Energized electrical equipment,Mnemonic-Think C for current.
Fire Class-D,Geometric Symbol-Yellow Pentagram (Star),Pictogram-Burning Gear and Bearing,Intended Use-Combustible metals,Mnemonic-Think D for ding things.
Fire Class-K,Geometric Symbol-Black Hexagon,Pictogram-Pan burning,Intended Use-Cooking oils and fats,Mnemonic-Think K for kitchen.
Extinguishing Agents can be categorized according to their effectiveness in quenching different types of fires.
• Dry chemicals prevent a chemical reaction between heat, fuel, and oxygen and halt the production of fire sustaining “free-radicals,” thus extinguishing the fire. Examples of such extinguishers are ammonium phosphate, sodium carbonates, potassium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and urea complex, and potassium chloride.
• Foams are applied to fuel fires either as aspirated (mixed and expanded with air in a branched pipe) or none-aspirated to form a frothy blanket or seal over the fuel, preventing oxygen reaching the flames. There are different types of foaming agents.
• Water cools burning material. It is used in air-pressurized form or as water mist.
• Wet chemicals and water additives are available as wet chemicals like potassium acetate, carbonate, or citrate, as detergent-based wetting agents, or as antifreeze chemicals.
• Clean agents and carbon dioxide are labeled “clean agents” because they do not leave any residue and are ideal for sensitive electronics. They include halon and carbon dioxide.
• Class D agents are used in fires caused by combustible metals. Examples of these agents are sodium chloride, copper powder, and sodium carbonate.
• Water-based Class A/B/C/D/K/F extinguishers are relatively new products. They are available in the form of small aerosol cans for home use or in bulk dispensers of up to 250 gallons.
In addition to fire extinguishers, the items below should be included in fire-emergency planning.
Fire Escape Ladder. If you have a home with multiple levels, ladders should be available where they would most likely be needed. Be sure to practice escape routes and check that windows open easily.
Fireproof Safe. Store all of your important documents here.
Sprinkler System. Installing both smoke detectors and a sprinkler system can reduce the risk of death in a home fire by almost 82 percent. Only the sprinkler close to the fire will activate, spraying water directly over the fire. A sprinkler system adds only 1 to 1.5 percent to the total building cost of new construction.
Fire Retardant Blankets. In situations where it is necessary to approach or run through flames, which will almost certainly result in burns, fire retardant blankets offer some protection.
Other Fire Safety Tips: Keep matches and lighters away from children. Ensure chimneys are properly insulated and maintained. Never smoke in bed. Sleep with room doors closed. If clothes catch on fire, then stop, drop down, and roll. Check closed doors for heat before opening. Crawl low under smoke to an exit. Remember your pets. Identify shelters, keep pet supplies, be sure pets have I.D. tags and veterinary records. Provide a pet carrier and leash.
Lightning: Although not as common as other fire starters, lightening strikes are responsible for many residential and workplace fires each year.
Lightning results from a high voltage electrical discharge between rain clouds or between a cloud and the ground or some object on the ground. Air in the path of lightning ionizes (becomes a conductor) and expands, resulting in thunder. Currents of 20,000 amps and temperatures up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit are common. In the this country, lightening strikes result in almost 26,000 fires and claim about 200 lives each year. Lighting strikes also cause 5 to 6 billion dollars worth of property damage annually.
Lightning strike “prevention” or “protection” (in an absolute sense) is impossible. However appropriate education and use of available guards against strikes are worth considering.
Lightning Rods, now known as air terminals, conduct current away from buildings to the earth. Performance of these air terminals is not fully understood and more research is needed to fully understand the behavior of these devices. In addition to lightning rods, a lighting protection system may include a network of rooftop conductors and multiple conductive paths from the roof to the ground. Proper installation or “down” conductors is essential. Understanding grounding principles is also helpful.
Lightening strikes can be fatal, even when fire is not a factor. During thunderstorms, find cover indoors or in a car, avoid touching or close proximity to metal objects and water, and stay off both land-line and cell phones. If caught in the open, avoid trees or any structure higher than the surrounding landscape; leave high ground and seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch or a gully, and assume Lightning Safety Position (LSP). LSP means staying away from other people, taking off all metal objects, crouching with feet together, head bowed, and placing hands on ears to reduce acoustic shock. There is no guarantee that you can prevent damages or injury from lightning, but adhering to the above measures will minimize the possibility of being the victim of a potentially deadly and destructive force.
Winter Storms
According to the American Red Cross, “Winter storms can be ‘deceptive killers’ since the majority of winter-related deaths are caused by events related to the heavy snowfall, high winds, and freezing rain that often accompanies them. People can become trapped at home without utilities or other services. Motorists can become stranded in their vehicles. Walking and driving can become hazardous. But people can stay safer if they listen to the advice of local authorities and take action to get prepared ahead of time.”
The Red Cross recommends everyone prepare for severe weather conditions. Besides having a Disaster Supplies Kit for home as described above you also need a Disaster Supplies Kit for your vehicle:
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Jumper cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Compass and road maps.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit and pump.
• Flares.
• Extra clothing to keep dry.
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
• Tow rope.
Make a Winter Storm Plan:
• Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather. Have additional food and water stored to last seven to fourteen days.
• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat, and water-resistant boots.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle.
• Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe.
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.
Be Informed:
• Learn how you would receive information from local officials should hazardous winter weather affect your neighborhood.
• Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed for your area).
• Consider getting first aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency before professionals arrive on the scene.
If the power goes out:
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then items in the freezer, then non-perishable foods.
• Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, and carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. Remember that misuse of a generator can result in carbon monoxide poising and death.
Hazardous Winter Travel: The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination, and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.
In Case of Snow or Black Ice:
• Stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety as you risk developing hypothermia and/or frostbite.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the vehicle.
• As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help you stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
• Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• After the snow (or ice) has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.
In Case of a Flood:
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades. They are there for your safety.
• If your vehicle stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
References:
1) American Red Cross disaster education.www.Redcross.org.
2) Federal Emergency Management Agency. www.fema.org.
3) Home Safety Literacy Project. www.homesafetyliteracy.org.
4) Home Safety Council.www.homesafetycouncil.org. www.MySafeHome.org.
5) National Fire Protection Association. www.nfpa.org
6) National Lightning Safety Institute. www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi.
7) Wikipedia Encyclopedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/fire_extinguisher.
