| A fire started in a flat in Weston-Super-Mare in the | | | | without ever thinking about this possibility? Lots I |
| UK recently which resulted in four people being | | | | would presume. |
| rescued by an ex fireman who was passing by at | | | | So the important lesson to take away from this sad |
| the time of the incident. Luckily for the residents | | | | incident is that you should always ensure the fan |
| inside the property the retired fireman heard the | | | | exhausts on any computer or other electrical |
| shouts for help from a 21 year old woman inside the | | | | equipment are left clear of obstruction to avoid the |
| flat as the fire broke out and soon flared into a | | | | possibility of overheating and starting a fire. |
| major blaze. | | | | Other basic measure in the home which can be taken |
| The brave fireman then rushed into the building and | | | | are ensuring internal doors remain closed, especially at |
| successfully managed to save the girl as well as all | | | | night when you go to bed. This will help trap a fire |
| the other people trapped inside the property on | | | | inside what ever room it breaks out in and slow its |
| Langport Road. After successfully rescuing the | | | | spread to other areas. |
| woman he went upstairs and alerted a young couple | | | | All homes should also fit smoke alarms through out |
| with a one year old baby and managed to help them | | | | the property and ensure they are in working order |
| out to safety too. | | | | by testing them weekly. There are three main types |
| The only casualty was a cat who died from smoke | | | | to fit in the home and these come in optical, |
| inhalation, which happens to be the major cause of | | | | ionisation and heat variants. A carbon monoxide alarm |
| fire related deaths in homes. Thanks to the brave | | | | should also be fitted so as to alert of the 'silent killer' |
| actions of the retired fire fighter a major tragedy | | | | that still claims many lives each year. |
| was averted and four young lives saved. | | | | If you discover a fire ensure that you and everyone |
| To help stop the spread of the fire and buy time for | | | | in the property evacuates immediately to a safe area |
| the evacuation he also closed internal doors to | | | | outside. Do not waste time trying to gather personal |
| suppress the blaze from spreading quickly. | | | | possessions as these are of no use to you if you |
| Now what caused the fire to start in the first place? | | | | become trapped and die. The smoke from a fire can |
| A simple laptop computer. That's right, not an object | | | | kill within minutes so get out and call the fire brigade |
| that people would ever give much consideration to as | | | | immediately. |
| a fire hazard in the home. Now there was nothing | | | | If you have fire extinguishers only use them if you |
| faulty with the battery or anything else that caused | | | | are confident you can easily control the fire and |
| the fire to break out. It was a simple accident that | | | | extinguish it. They are useful in the home on small |
| most people would not even give any consideration | | | | fires, but still call the fire brigade to come and make |
| to. And as we are all aware, fire safety is a major | | | | sure the fire is fully extinguished as they can still |
| area where people should take care and prepare | | | | re-ignite. |
| themselves for. | | | | Also make sure you use the right extinguisher for |
| The laptop caught fire after it was left on a bed and | | | | the right type of fire. Powder models are popular in |
| was still turned on. The bedding sheets blocked the | | | | the home as they can tackle Class A, B, C and |
| exhaust fans which cool the laptop down and thus | | | | electrical fires safely. |
| started an internal fire which quickly spread, setting | | | | Use basic fire safety tips and if the worse does |
| the bed alight and subsequently the entire flat. How | | | | happen you will know what to do and massively |
| many of us use a laptop in bed or on the sofa | | | | increase the chance of escaping a blaze unhurt. |