The home is such a familiar place that fire hazards may all too easily go unnoticed. There are a variety of precautions that should be taken to minimize the possibility of a fire breaking out in the home. All homes should be equipped with smoke detectors, which should be tested regularly and whose batteries should be promptly replaced when they wear out.
Multilevel homes should have at least one smoke detector per floor. A good location for a smoke detector is directly outside a bedroom and at the top of every flight of stairs, especially those leading to a basement. Avoid placing one in the kitchen itself, since heat and fumes from cooking may set off a false alarm.
The insulation of smoke detectors in a home or commercial property may lower its household insurance rates.
Local or Area Heating. Space heaters and unguarded coal or wood fires in open fireplaces are a common source of fires in the home. An open fireplace should be protected with a fire screen whenever a fire is burning in it. The screen should cover the entire opening of the fireplace.
With coal or wood fires, there is a danger of the chimney catching fire. The flue should be cleaned regularly to remove flammable tars that may have accumulated. The fire should not be allowed to become too hot or to roar up into the chimney. If wood is used as fuel, hardwoods from trees that shed their leaves should be chosen; they produce less flammable tars than softwoods.
Gas and oil space heaters should never be used in bedrooms. Elsewhere in the home, this type of heater should be vented to the outside and anchored to the floor. The floor beneath the heater should be protected with a layer of sheet metal or masonry tiles. The fuel lines should be protected against damage and placed out of the general path of travel. Portable gas or oil space heaters should not be used in homes where children are present.
Electric heaters are also a fire hazard. It is essential to keep them in good repair and to replace wires that are worn. If an electric heater is fitted with a fan, this should be kept operable at all times to prevent the heating coils from overheating. A protective grill should be fitted over the heating coils.
All types of heaters should be approved by a nationally recognized testing agency. They should be installed and operated strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Cigarettes. If people in the household smoke, there should be enough ashtrays available to prevent them from using wastebaskets or other flammable receptacles for ashes and butts. All ashtrays should be emptied into a metal container at night. Never smoke in bed or when drowsy.
Children. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children at all times. Children should wear flame-resistant clothing. Never put toys on the mantel or hang a mirror over a flame or heat source. A child may be tempted to stand too near to the fire in order to reach for something.
Small children should never be left alone in the house. If it is necessary to leave the children, ask a friend, neighbor, or relative to look after them while you are out.
Electrical Appliances. All electrical appliances should be kept in good repair. They should be grounded and fitted with appropriate fuses. Electric sockets should have childproof covers. Electrical equipment should always be unplugged when not in use.
Electric blankets are a common fire hazard. Never sleep on top of an over-blanket nor beneath an under-blanket. Electric blankets should never be folded or creased. They should never be used to dry damp bedding or be put on a child's or elderly person's bed if bed-wetting is likely.
Fire Control. If you discover a fire, get everyone out of the house. To this end, there should already be an escape route, previously planned and rehearsed. It is very important to have one, especially in case of fires on upper floors. After everyone is safely outside, call the Fire Department. If you are the last person out, shut all doors and windows as you leave.
If the fire is small and in its early stages and you are certain that you can tackle it without danger to yourself, make sure that everyone is safe before you begin. You should also make sure that the fire extinguisher is suitable for the type of fire. Most extinguishers are labeled as to the types of fires they best control. "All-class" extinguishers are suitable for any type of fire. When using an extinguisher, be careful not to scatter burning material with the jet.
Every room should have a second exit in the event that the usual one is blocked by fire or smoke. Usually the second exit is a window. On second and third floors, this should lead to a roof or balcony where you can wait for help to arrive. If there is no such structure, you should use a rope, a chain ladder, or some other aid to climb down.
If you are trapped in a room by a fire somewhere else in the building, you should shut the door and block any cracks with material, such as bedding, to prevent smoke from filling the room. Then go to a window and shout for help. If smoke fills the room, lean out of the window. If this is impossible because of flames from below, lie on the floor where the air is clearer. If you have to escape before help arrives, throw bedding, clothes, or even card-board boxes onto the ground to break your fall. Lower yourself or a child to full arm's length before dropping. If you are in a room above the second floor, drop only as a last resort.
Hospitalization - Admission Procedures
The procedures you follow on admission to a hospital vary from one hospital to another, but basically the process is the same in most institutions in the United States.
Care of the Dying - Role of Friends
The friend can show appreciation of the work being done by the family and offer to stay with the patient if the family needs a little time away from home.
Care of the Dying - Death of an Older Child or an Adolescent
From the age of three years onward, a child begins to understand the concept of death and dying. The dying child feels protective toward his or her parents. Although the child desperately needs to talk about what is going to happen, he or she may never get close to the subject. The child may attach himself or herself to a nurse or physician while still relying on the parents. By doing this, the child is sharing the emotional responsibility. The parents may find this difficult to accept, but must realize that someone else can perhaps give more help by listening dispassionately to the child's fears and anxieties.
