Santo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department - Palo Pinto County, Texas


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Residential Fires
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Control Flammables
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1. Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach and out of sight of children!
2. Smoking is dangerous! No one should ever smoke in bed. Make sure that cigarettes/cigars are extinguished properly before dumping ashes.
3. Avoid grease build-up in the kitchen and on appliances. Cooking fires are common. Don't leave food cooking on stovetops unattended.
4. If a fire should occur, suffocate it with a pot/pan lid or a cookie sheet, or close the oven door.
5. Around the holidays, Christmas trees are a primary concern. Consider using an artificial tree that is labeled "flame resistant." If you do use an evergreen, water it daily to keep it from drying out. Make sure to inspect stringed lights and window ornaments annually for deterioration.
6. Dispose of materials from fireplaces and grills in non-flammable containers
7. Never put children to sleep in "day" clothes. Fire-retardant sleepwear can make a difference in burn outcomes
8. Never use gasoline, benzine, naptha, or similar flammable liquids indoors
9. Never smoke near flammable liquids.
10. Discard all rags or materials that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container
11. Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher than the roof. Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

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Use Heating Sources Wisely
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1. Check with your local fire department on the legality of using kerosene heaters in your community. Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.
2. Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.
3. Use only the type of fuel designated for your unit and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.
5. Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
6. Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
7. Store ashes in a metal container outside and away from your residence.
8. Chimney fires are common. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
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Keep Electrical Wiring in Good Repair
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1. Make sure your electrical system is not being over-taxed. This can cause a fire. Do your lights dim or flicker when extra appliances are plugged in? If you have questions or concerns, consult a certified electrician.
2. Inspect wires. If you find any worn or exposed wiring from appliances or extension cords, discontinue their use immediately! A fire is imminent!
3. Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
4. Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.
5. Do not overload extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get a UL-approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
6. Make sure insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.
7. Keep appliances unplugged when not in use.

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Use Care When Cooking
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1. Never "Barbecue" or grill indoors on a smoker or barbecue grill. These devices are intended for outdoor use only
2. Keep your grill at least 30 feet from any structures - for residents of apartments, condominiums and townhouses, it's the law. For the rest of us, it's just an excellent idea.
3. Don't leave food unattended on the stove.
4. Keep dangling clothing away from burners.
5. Turn handles on pots and pans so that they can't be knocked off the stove accidently
5. Keep appliances clean and free of grease and crumbs.

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Obtain Fire Extinguishers
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1. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen (one rated for grease fires and electrical fires.)
2. It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers near the furnace, garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. These extinguishers are affordable, life-saving equipment for your home.
3. Make sure every able-bodied member of the family is trained and familiar with the proper way to use the fire extinguishers.
4. If you must use an extinguisher, make sure you have a clear way out in the event you can't put out the fire.

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Use Appliances Safely
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1. Insure all electrical appliances are UL approved. Click Here To Search UL Listings
2. Stay informed of product recalls. Click Here To Search For Product Recalls.
3. Clean your clothes dryer's filter between each load.
4. Pull your dryer out from the wall, and ensure that there isn't a dangerous buildup of lint behind the dryer or in the exhaust hose.
5. Make sure that everything you put in the dishwasher is safe for dishwasher use - plastic can burn from contacting the heating element.

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Don't Let Vehicles Become Fire Hazards
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1. Don't fill your portable gasoline cans in your vehicle - remove the can from the vehicle.
2. When transporting portable gasoline cans, ensure that the container is approved for gasoline storage is sealed tightly is not left in the vehicle for longer than absolutely necessary, especially on a warm or sunny day.
3. If you smell gasoline or suspect a gasoline leak, don't operate the car until the leak is repaired.
4. If you smell smoke or see flames, pull over well off the traveled roadway as soon as safely possible to do so. Don't attempt to drive any further.

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Install Smoke Alarms
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1. Place smoke alarms on every level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.
2. Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.
3. If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.

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Have A Sound Fire Escape Plan
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1. Practice Escaping From Every Room In The Home Practice escape plans every month. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto an adjacent roof or using an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened. Also, practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
2. Security Bars Require Special Precautions Security bars may help to keep your family safe from intruders, but they can also trap you in a deadly fire! Windows and doors with security bars must have quick release devices to allow them to be opened immediately in an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family understands and practices how to properly operate and open locked or barred doors and windows.
3. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
4. Designate A Meeting Place Outside and Take Attendance Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street. For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure everyone has gotten out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe. Designate one person to go to a neighbor's home to phone the fire department.
5. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

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When A Fire Occurs . . .
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1. Immediately Leave The Home When a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving property. Take the safest exit route, but if you must escape through smoke, remember to crawl low, under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. The smoke contains toxic gases which can disorient you or, at worst, overcome you.
2. Never Open Doors That Are Hot To The Touch When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.
3. If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
4.Once Out, Stay Out Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department using the 911 system or proper local emergency number in your area. Never go back into a burning building for any reason. Teach children not to hide from firefighters. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They are equipped to perform rescues safely.

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After The Fire . . .
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1. Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, to help with your immediate needs, such as: temporary housing, food, medicine, eyeglasses, clothing, etc.
2. Contact your insurance agent/company.
3. Do not enter the damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains.
4. Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself.
5. Be watchful for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be damaged and subject to collapse.
6. Food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and water should not be consumed.
7. Contact your local police departments to let them know the site will be unoccupied.
7. In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.
8. Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax.

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