9 Facts About House Fires You Need to Know

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra can work with your insurance company to mitigate fire damage in your home, 904-246-6118.

9 Facts About House Fires You Need to Know

Reviewing the following facts can help your family respond to and escape from a house fire faster.

1. Escape Route, Find two ways to get out of each room or area of the home (door or window).
2. Windows, Ensure that windows are not stuck, security bars can be properly opened, and screens can be taken out.
3. Call 911, Call 9-1-1 for help if you can't get to someone needing assistance.
4. Seal Doors and Vents, If you can't escape, shelter where you are. Then all 9-1-1 to report your location, sealing doors or vents if possible.
5. Feel the Door for Heat, When escaping a room, feel the doorknob with the back of your hand; if hot, leave the door closed and try to find another way out.
6. Inventory Damages, Create a checklist of damaged property and items. Protect valuable documents and records.
7. Utilities, The fire department should check that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected safely before they leave.
8. P.A.S.S., the acronym PASS is your key for how to operate a fire extinguisher. P, Pull out the pin. A, Aim the nozzle or horn low at the base of the fire. S, Squeeze the handle to release the agent. S, Sweep from side to side at the base of the flame until the fire is out.
9. Smoke Detectors, The Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, JFRD, provides and installs free smoke detectors for any qualifying Jacksonville residence. Our local fire department will also install replacement batteries. For a free smoke detector or to arrange to have the batteries replaced in an existing one, call 904-630-2489 (CITY).

For more house fire tips and resources for kids, visit the MyJFRD website.