HSE Home Safety Awareness Update: Reducing Your Risk, Essential Home Fire Safety Tips
Published in 30 December, 2024
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To foster a culture of fire safety within the KAUST community and ensure the well-being of all residents, we encourage everyone to prioritize fire awareness in their homes. KAUST values your safety and urges all residents to adopt the following simple yet crucial practices to safeguard your family, home, and neighbors from the serious consequences of fire.
Reporting emergencies and planning for escapes:
Establishing clear reporting procedures for emergencies at home and practice a well-rehearsed escape plan with all family members to ensure safety and minimize potential harm.
And give the following information:
Your location.
Provide your phone number from which you are calling.
Nature of the emergency.
Prepare a fire escape plan with your family by locating the nearest two escape exits and ensure escape routes are clear of obstructions and easily accessible.
Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from the home and are familiar with the family meeting spot outside your home at a safe location.
Important: If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP. Never return for anything or anyone unless instructed to do so by the Fire Department.
Practice your escape plan twice a year.
Home cooking and electrical appliances:
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries, accounted for 51% of all residential building fires responded in the US between 2017 – 2019.
Keep children away from stove, ranges, cooktops and hot surfaces by 3 feet at least.
Never leave the kitchen unattended while cooking. After cooking, ensure that the stove and/or oven is completely off.
Keep hot items away from loose clothing, dish towels, and other fabrics that could cause a fire.
Never attempt to extinguish oil fires by using water. Always use the appropriate type of extinguisher e.g. dry powder type of extinguishers for class A, B, C type of fire.
Use only microwave-safe food containers or dishes. Never use aluminum foil or metal in a microwave oven.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you are planning to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Immediately unplug and replace cords that are frayed or damaged.
Check the cord or socket’s capacity before plugging in multiple devices to prevent overloading.
If you have children at home, consider tamper-resistant outlets to prevent injury or higher consequences.
Don’t tuck extension cords under rugs, carpet, or furniture. Heat cannot escape from covered cords, and that’s a fire hazard.
Call KAUST Campus and Community from a KAUST landline 012 8080 959 or from a mobile phone if you experience blown fuses, flickering lights, sparking outlets, or other recurring issues with outlets or wiring.
Address these issues while they’re small, and ensure that all cords, lights, appliances, and equipment are certified by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO).
Candles:
Be careful with candles and tea lights. Avoid placing them on or near materials that could burn or catch fire – like curtains.
Never leave a candle unattended.
Watch the video below to see these tips demonstrated in a more visual way:
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HSE Home Safety Awareness Update: Reducing Your Risk, Essential Home Fire Safety Tips
