Fire safety rules for kids, workplaces, training and more you should know

Last week, a video of a brave man driving a truck on fire out of a residential area to a less populated one in Delta State went viral on social media. While he was praised for his heroic act, the incident also points out fire safety issues in Nigeria.

Fire accidents are common. According to a report by PM News, statistics by the Federal Fire Service (FFS) revealed that the number of fire incidents in Nigeria caused by electrical sparks was 636, while electrical equipment caused 447 fire cases in 2021. These accidents have led to the loss of lives and properties.

This is why it is important to learn fire safety rules so you won’t become a victim. This piece will show you how. Wait for it.

Table of Content hide 1What is fire safety? 2Fire safety in the workplace 2.1Keep your workplace organised and clean 2.2Relevant fire safety equipment should be available 2.3Identify risky areas in the workplace 2.4Train the employees in fire safety 2.5Appoint fire wardens 2.6Electrical safety should be considered 3Fire safety for kids 3.1Have safety talks with your children 3.2Don’t allow your child to play with lighters and matches 3.3Double-check extinguished matches 3.4Be careful about burning candles and incense 3.5Avoid overloading electricity 3.6Stay away from stoves and other fireplaces 3.7Fireproof the house 3.8Conduct a fire drill plan for your children 4Fire safety training 4.1Know the fire triangle 4.2Know the fire alarm 4.3Understand the types of fires 4.4Know the types of extinguishing agents 4.5Which fire extinguisher to use for which fire 4.6How to use a fire extinguisher 4.7Don’t forget people with disabilities 5Fire safety equipment

What is fire safety?

Safeopedia defines fire safety as planning and infrastructure design to reduce the risk of fire or impede the spread of fire when one breaks out. Fire safety measures aim to prevent the ignition of an uncontrolled fire outbreak and stop it when it starts. The measures include constructing buildings and equipment and teaching people the rules to prevent fire accidents.

Fire safety in the workplace

Fire accidents can happen anywhere, including workplaces. Here are safety measures you should take:

Keep your workplace organised and clean

Keeping an untidy workplace is a recipe for fire disaster. A place like that is prone to fire hazards as the more the clutter, the more the “fire load” of the area or building increases. In simple terms, more items in the workplace can catch fire easily. For instance, piling up waste and allowing it to take a lot of space in a workplace can be hazardous. It can block exit areas and fuel more fire. This is why it is important to make sure corridors, stairs, and fire exits are as clear as possible.

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Relevant fire safety equipment should be available

If a fire starts in the workplace, fire safety equipment will be handy to extinguish the fire before it causes more damage. Make sure your workplace has smoke alarms, fire exit signs and lighting, fire escape ladders if necessary, and fire prevention systems such as fire extinguishers and sprinklers.

Identify risky areas in the workplace

You can effectively prevent fire accidents if you carry out a thorough risk assessment in your workplace. Identify places prone to fire hazards and make appropriate arrangements to take care of those places. How do you make an assessment? Check out what could cause a fire, assess the level of risk posed, consider who could be affected, and how fire risks can be stopped. Ensure you take long-term fire safety terms and regularly review the assessment.

Train the employees in fire safety

Your employees need fire safety training. They need to know what to do in the event of a fire outbreak in the building. Teach them practical fire drills so they will know what to do in such emergencies.

Appoint fire wardens

A fire warden is a member of staff who is responsible for taking control of fire safety procedures. If a fire breaks out, he or she coordinates evacuation and checks that no one remains in the building. Your workplace should have at least one fire warden who is well trained to take care of the situation should it arise.

Electrical safety should be considered

Electrical equipment are fire risks. Faulty wiring or overloaded sockets can overheat and spark fires that can quickly spread. To prevent this, repair or remove faulty electricals as soon as possible, don’t overload plug sockets, and ensure equipment is regularly inspected and tested.

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Fire safety for kids

Children should take the following tips to keep safe and prevent any damage during a fire outbreak.

Have safety talks with your children

Educating your child about the importance of safety is the first step to preventing fire accidents and fatalities. Teach them what happens during a fire and how they must keep themselves safe at all costs. Let them know the measures to take to prevent fire accidents.

Don’t allow your child to play with lighters and matches

Unless they are under adult supervision, don’t let your child or children anywhere near lighters and matches. It’s for their own good.

Double-check extinguished matches

Once you light and put off the matches, run it under water to remove extra fire. Don’t assume the fire is completely out after putting it off the first time.

Be careful about burning candles and incense

Don’t leave burning candles and incenses around. Teach your children to be careful around them too. Burning candles and incense are exposed heat sources, which are prone to fire hazards. Teach your children to put them off before leaving the room.

Avoid overloading electricity

Plugging too many electrical devices in a household can cause a fire. Teach your child the limited number of devices that should be plugged into an outlet. Younger kids should not even be anywhere near any outlets.

Stay away from stoves and other fireplaces

Don’t let your children near stoves, gas,, or any other fireplaces. They may want to play around in those places, which is extremely dangerous.

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Fireproof the house

This means installing fire alarms in your house and ensuring it works by changing their battery every six months. Also, buy fire extinguishers and teach your kids how to use them in emergencies.

Conduct a fire drill plan for your children

This includes the following:

• Teaching them how to get low to avoid the smoke and find the closest exit and leave the place.
• Stop, drop and roll to put out the fire on their bodies.
•  Finding the nearest exit and leaving instead of hiding in the house.
• Leaving everything behind and running for safety.
• Teach them not to use the elevator. They should use the stairs to exit the building.
• They should memorise emergency numbers to call in case of a fire outbreak.

Fire safety training

Anyone can be trained on fire safety measures. Follow these simple steps below:

Know the fire triangle

A fire needs three elements: oxygen, fuel, and heat. Fire outbreaks can be stopped by dealing with at least one of the elements. For instance, you can extinguish a burning fire with water which blocks the heat supply.

Know the fire alarm

Everyone should be aware of where the fire alarm systems are located to use them in case of emergencies.

Understand the types of fires

They are:

• Class A fires – solid materials such as wood, paper, rubber, plastic, and cloth.
• Class B fires – flammable or combustible liquids, such as petrol, oil, and paint.
• Class C fires – flammable gases, such as propane, butane, and methane.
• Class D fires – flammable metals, such as potassium, aluminium, and titanium.
• Class F fires – cooking oils and fats.

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Know the types of extinguishing agents

•  Water: Suitable for wood, fabric, and paper.
• Foam: Suitable for flammable liquids, wood, and paper.
• Powder: Suitable for flammable liquids, gas, electrical hazards, oil, and chemicals.
• CO2: Suitable for flammable liquids and electricals.
• Wet chemical: Suitable for cooking fat and oils.

Which fire extinguisher to use for which fire

•  Water: For Class A fires in the house, office, shop or warehouse environments.
• Foam: For Class A or B fires on electrical or material-based fire.
• CO2: For Class B fires like those caused by flammable liquids or electrical appliances.
• Wet Chemical: For kitchen-related fires with cooking oils and fats.

How to use a fire extinguisher

• Pull the pin out.
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly.
• Stay at a distance and sweep the nozzle from side to side, moving closer as the flames decrease until the fire is completely out.

Don’t forget people with disabilities

Whether in the office, home, or anywhere else, don’t forget people with disabilities in burning environments. Priority should be given to them as they cannot exit independently.

Fire safety equipment

• Fire extinguishers
• Fire blankets
• Fire hose reels
• Signage
• Sprinklers
• First aid kits
• Emergency and exit signs
• Smoke alarms

In conclusion, fire safety protection for homes & workplaces is a big deal for everyone. Fire outbreaks can happen at any time and anywhere. Although some preventive steps listed above require professional training, take the simple steps, and involve your children to avoid being a victim.

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