Fire Safety
The Honolulu Fire Department has reviewed and approved the following information. It is provided as a service so that you will know what to do in the event you have a fire in your home. It is suggested you read these safety procedures and have your family read them also.
FIRE IN YOUR HOME. IF A FIRE OCCURS IN YOUR HOME: IF YOU SEE IT, SMELL IT, OR HEAR THE SMOKE DETECTOR, ACT QUICKLY!!
a)            STAY CALM! Your safety and that of your family and neighbors comes first. Remember, the first few moments are the most critical. Alert the other occupants in your home and in the adjoining duplex unit.
b)            CALL 911 from OUTSIDE your home. Do NOT assume that someone else will call the Fire Department for you. Find a telephone and call!
C)            Tell 911 you want to report a fire. Give the project name, the address where the fire is, the general location of your unit, and tell what is burning.
d)            If you are caught in smoke, keep low to the floor where the air is clearest, and take short breaths through your nose until you reach safety.
e)                   Always remember that if there is fire in or smoke coming from a closed room, feel the door. If it is hot, or you see smoke seeping from around the door, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. A dangerous fire condition probably exists on the other side!! If someone is in that room, GET HELP IMMEDIATELY!
f)                    If you or members of your family should be trapped in a room that has a window, and especially if the room is on the first floor, break the window to provide a safe exit. A bureau or dresser drawer emptied of its contents is a good tool with which to break the glass. But remember to stand far enough away from the glass so that the shattered pane will not injure you.
g)                      If living in a two-story home, ask your local fire station crew for their recommendations for escaping from upstairs bedrooms. Ask them about the many different kinds of escape ladders on the market, and procedures for their use.
MEMORIZE YOUR HOME'S FLOOR PLAN. It is important to know your home even in the dark. Memorize the location of all exits, including windows, and be totally familiar with furniture placement. Know by heart, the location of each fire extinguisher in your home.
FAMILY FIRE ESCAPE PLAN. Make a family fire escape plan NOW. Check for exits, walk the distances, exactly counting the steps. Make a simple floor plan showing all exits, and plan at least two routes of escape. Have a family meeting; explain the plans, and review distances, directions and methods of escape if trapped. Have practice fire drills for your family on a frequent basis. Remember to plan an outside meeting place. Keep the Plan handy so that it serves as a constant reminder to everyone.
Remember, any fire is a serious threat. Having a family escape plan and fire safety knowledge could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. One of the most important fire safety items to purchase for your home is a fire extinguisher. The minimum type recommended by the Honolulu Fire Department is a Type 2A-1 OBC (commonly called an ABC). The Type 2A- I OBC extinguisher will work on all types of fires. It is a dry, chemical-type extinguisher.
Several companies that sell fire extinguishers are listed in the Yellow Pages of your Telephone Directory. Remember, however, when purchasing extinguishers, to buy no less than the minimum one recommended above, or an even more powerful ABC dry chemical-type that will work on the three different types of fires described in the paragraph below.
PLACEMENT OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. Although the kitchen is a very important place to keep a fire extinguisher, remember to also place them near sleeping areas and include one for the garage.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXPIRATION DATES. All quality fire extinguishers have an "expiration date," the date when they must be recharged to maintain their efficiency. Record this information upon purchase, as the use of a fire extinguisher that needs to be recharged could result in it not being effective when using it to put out a fire. As a rule of thumb, all fire extinguishers should be checked annually. Consult your Yellow Pages Telephone Directory for firms providing this service.
TYPES OF FIRES. There are three types of fires: a) wood, paper or cloth fires; b) grease or oil fires; and c) electrical fires.
a)                  Wood, Paper or Cloth Fires. If you are present when wood, paper, or cloth catches fire, use the 2A- I OBC-Type extinguisher, water, or a garden hose. Familiarize your family with the location of each of these items and how they should use them. Remember, normally it takes two people to use a hose, one to control the valve and the other to extend the hose and direct the water flow.
b)                  Grease or Oil Fires. If cooking grease or oil catches fire in a cooking utensil while you are using the stove, first, turn off the appliance and quickly cover, "smother" with a lid, cookie sheet, or some other type of non-flammable cover. This shuts off the oxygen which is the fire's principal fuel. NEVER USE WATER DIRECTLY ON BURNING OIL! The 2A-1 OBC fire extinguisher will also assist you in putting out grease or oil fires.
C) Electrical Fires. DO NOT USE WATER OR WATER-TYPE (INCLUDING SODA ACID) EXTINGUISHERS ON AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. Use the Type 2A- I OBC on fires suspected to be electrical in nature.