Visayan Electric Company

Corporate Social Responsibiliy

/ Home › Efficiency › Safety › Fire Safety

Electrical safety leads to fire safety
	Put phone numbers of fire department near phone.
	Regularly check your electrical installations and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.
	Do not overload electrical circuits by putting additional lights and appliances.
	Blown fuses should not be replaced with coins, wires, or any metal.
	Oxygen, Fuel and Heat are elements of fire. To prevent fire, it is important to keep these elements apart. And if fire occurs, the only way to extinguish it is to eliminate one of the three elements.

	12 Rules of Fire Safety
	Do not place flammables near a heater.
	Do not build a bonfire on a windy day. (When you do build a bonfire, keep a bucket of water or a fire-extinguishing device nearby)
	Do not smoke in bed. (Especially after drinking)
	Keep lighters and matches out of children's reach.
	Keep fire extinguishers or a bucket of water handy at home.
	Do not leave the cooking stove unattended while frying.
	Do not connect too many electrical appliances to one outlet.
	Do not use a broken plug or pull a plug out of an outlet by the cord as this may cause overheating and, possibly, even a fire.
	Fit the gas hose onto the gas pipe up to the red mark and fix it with a gas hose stopper. Replace old, cracked gas hose with new ones as soon as possible.
	Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.
	In case of fire: DON'T HIDE, GO OUTSIDE! To escape during a fire; FALL and CRAWL. It is easier to breathe in a fire if you stay low while getting out. Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out.
	If your clothes are on fire, STOP, DROP and ROLL until the fire is out. Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes fire burn faster.
	Carelessness is the biggest cause of fire.

	Residential Electrical Safety
	Electrical fires are one of the leading types of home fires, especially in manufactured homes. By following some simple rules on electrical safety you can reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire in your home.
	Prevent electrical fires
	Studies of electrical fires in homes show that many problems are associated with improper installation of electrical devices by do-it-yourselfers. Common errors that can lead to fires include:
	Improperly rated switches or receptacles and loose connections. Both can lead to overheating and arcing.
	The wrong size fuse or placing a penny behind a fuse when there's no spare. The fuse is a safety devise designed to limit the electricity carried by the circuit to a safe level.
	Mixing electricity and water. All electrical devices installed outdoors should be specially designed for outdoor use. Outdoor receptacles, as well as those in kitchens, bathrooms or anywhere near water should be the ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) type.

	Use Electrical devices safely
	Light bulbs, especially halogens, get very hot and can ignite combustible materials that are too close to the bulbs.
	Clothing or towels should never be placed atop a lampshade.
	Table lamps should not be used without a shade where they might fall onto a bed or sofa.
	Too high a wattage bulb can cause a light fixture to overheat and start a fire; most light fixtures are labeled with the brightest bulb that can be safely used in that fixture.
	Extension cords should be rated for the power needed by the connected device. Extension cords should never be used as a long-term solution for another receptacle.
	Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture; they can get warm and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire.

	Correct electrical problems
	The insulation on electrical cords can become damaged by wear, flexing or age. Do not use any cord that is stiff or cracked. Some clues that you may have an electrical problems are:
	Flickering lights. If the lights dim every time you turn on an appliance, that circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.
	Sparks. If sparks appear when you insert or remove a plug, it could be a loose connection.
	Warm electrical cord. If an electrical cord is warm to the touch, the cord is underrated or defective.
	Frequently blown fuses or broken circuits. A fuse or circuit breaker that keeps tripping is an important warning sign of problems.
	- Source: http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us

	Tips on Kitchen fire safety
	Majority of all house fires start in the kitchen and are caused by someone leaving cooking unattended or submitting to a distraction while cooking. Appliances used for food preparation have the potential to cause a fire, whether they are electric or gas operated. For example, electrical wires can fray, gas leaks can occur, and inappropriate containers in the microwave can ignite. Knowledge of kitchen fire safety is crucial.
	Keep appliances clean, and wipe surfaces after spills. Clean stove surfaces and ovens regularly.
	Wear tight-fitting sleeveless, or roll them up when cooking.
	NEVER use water to extinguish a grease fire. Keep flammable objects, including pot holders, dish towels and curtains, at least three feet away from the stove.
	Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and all other solid-fueled heating equipment needs to be inspected annually and cleaned accordingly.
	Assure microwaves have enough room to breathe, that all the vents are cleared of obstructions.
	If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Make sure to have the microwave oven serviced before you use it again.
	If there is an oven fire, keep the door closed and turn off the heat. If the fire doesn't go out immediately, call the fire department.
	A grease fire occurs when oil or greasy foods are heated and ignited. The simplest way to fight a grease fire is to carefully slide a lid over the pan. Turn off the burner, don't move the pan, and keep the lid on until the pan cools completely. Baking Soda may also be used to suffocate the fire. NEVER PUT WATER ON A GREASE FIRE. Water causes the grease to splatter and the fire to spread. Also, NEVER attempt to take a grease fire outdoors. It will be too hot to carry and you will drop it, causing a major house fire.
	Teaching children about fire
	Although we've evolved to recoil from strong heat, children simply don't understand how dangerous fire can be. Fortunately, most are eager to learn and learning about fire safety can be fun.
	Teach them:
	that fire is not a toy
	never to play near fires or heaters or to leave their toys near them
	to always hand matches or lighters to a responsible adult if they find any
	what your smoke alarm sounds like and what it means - why not get them to check it once a week with you?
	what to do in a fire
	not to hide if a fire breaks out - those who come to rescue them may not be able to find them
	not to get scared when they see people in breathing apparatus
	Signs of 'Fire Play'
	Fire is fascinating to children. It's not a toy, however. Countless fires started in the name of play have raged out of control and damaged property - and lives. Here are some signs to look out for that could indicate your child is playing with fire:
	lighters or matches going missing or turning up in odd places
	unexplained burns on carpets and soft furnishings
	unexplained burns or blisters on your child or their clothes
	piles of burnt papers, sticks, etc., especially in quiet areas of the garden
	unexplained smells of smoke on their clothes or in their hair
	If you discover any of these things, it's important that you talk to your child about them. Try not to be angry, but instead explain the dangers in terms they can understand and teach them about fire safety.

Safety