A Key to fire safety for those who live and work in these special structures is to practice specific highrise fire safety and prevention drills.  The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, would like you to know that there are simple fire safety steps we can all take to prevent the loss of life and property in high rise fires. 

In our line of work, Forrest and I can tell you how heartbreaking it is to have a fire in your home -- especially during the holiday season.  Actually, this is when there are more interior and fatal fires than the rest of the year.  Everyone is relaxed, home visiting with family and having a glass or two, while lighting a fire or gazing at holiday candles and trees. 

But, if you live in a Westchester County apartment, condo or Coop, you may need to worry about the neighbors around you, too.  Do they have a fire extinguisher and do they know that the powder in these devices will not put out an oil or grease fire.  

You have to "smother" oil and grease flames with a pan cover or a (wet) towel.  

Do your cohabitants use candles and are they enclosed in a hurricane lamp or glass jar, or open and on a flammable tablecloth?  

We are working on a fire cleanup where an extinguisher was available, but it was not effective because the source was an oil lamp.  It's so important to know what to do and not to do!  Better to not have the ambiance of a candle than to have damage to people or property.  Teach your kids to drop and roll, too!

I did some research in the aftermath of a local, fatal fire and found some great tips from Fire Professionals and their associations online.  Here are some safety tips for a fire emergency and what to do afterwards in a high rise or multi-story building:

BE PREPARED FOR A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY

• Never lock fire exits or doorways, doors to hallways or emergency exits to stairways. Fire doors provide a way out during the fire and slow the spread of both fire and smoke. Never prop a stairway or other fire doors open, especially during emergency drills or actual events.

• Create, learn and practice your building evacuation plan. Make sure that everyone knows what steps to take, if a fire alarm sounds and evacuation is necessary!  Plan and practice your escape plan together, especially with Floor Captains, who are assigned by your emergency planning team.

• Be sure that your building manager posts evacuation plans in mail rooms, your high traffic areas -- like the lobby -- and in the elevators.  Note that all elevators will not be in operation during an emergency, especially during a fire situation.

• Learn the sound of your building's fire alarm and post emergency numbers near all telephones.

• Inform everyone about their responsibilities for maintaining your building's  fire safety systems. Make sure nothing blocks these devices and report any sign of damage or malfunction immediately to your building management team.

DO NOT PANIC IN THE EVENT OF A HIGHRISE FIRE EMERGENCY

• Before  Call 911 for a fire emergency first.  Don't assume that anyone else has already called the fire department.

• Immediately call your local, emergency number.  Early notification is important and the fire department dispatcher may ask questions about your fire emergency.  Stay calm and give the dispatcher any requested information...just the facts, for a quick response!

IF THE DOOR IS WARM TO THE TOUCH

• Before you try to leave your apartment or office, feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door feels warm to the touch, do not attempt to open it. Stay in your apartment or office.
• Stuff the cracks around the door with towels, rags, bedding or tape.  Cover any vents to keep smoke out as long as possible.  We advise trying to get the rags or towels wet, as this will help prevent smoke from entering the room longer. 
• If there is a phone in the room where you are trapped, call the fire department again to tell them exactly where you are located in the building. Do this no matter what, even if you can see fire apparatus on the street below.

• Wait at a window and signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a sheet.

• If possible, open the window at the top and bottom, but do not break it. you may need to close the window if smoke rushes in.

• Be patient. Rescuing all the occupants of a highrise building can take several hours.

IF THE DOOR IS NOT WARM TO THE TOUCH

• If you do attempt to open the door, brace your body against the door while staying low to the floor and slowly open it a crack. What you are doing is checking for the presence of smoke or fire in the hallway.

• If there is no smoke in the hallway or stairwells, follow your building's evacuation plan.

• If you don't hear the building's fire alarm. pull the nearest fire alarm "pull station" while exiting the floor.

• If you encounter smoke or flames on your way out, immediately return to your apartment or office.

AFTER A HIGHRISE (or multi-family building) FIRE EMERGENCY

• Once you are out of the building, STAY OUT! Do not go back inside for any reason.

• Tell the fire department if you know of anyone trapped in the building.

• Only enter when the fire department tells you it is safe to do so.

MAINTAIN AND INSTALL WORKING SMOKE ALARMS

No matter where you live, always install smoke alarms on every level of your home -- ESPECIALLY outside bedrooms on all floors.  Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

We recommend you do so during Daylight Savings Time, when we Spring Forward or Fall Back an hour.  It's a good reminder and that way, you won't need us for restoration and smoke or soot removal.

Fire safety is everyone's responsibility, according to the National Fire Protection Assocition -- Fire Stops With You!

Here are some interesting statistics about High-rise fires because wherever we live, someday everyone will have a little to a large fire situation.  So, be prepared!:

In 2012, there were 1,375,000 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 2,855 civilian deaths, 16,500 civilian injuries and $12.4 billion in property damage.  Companies like ours actually work with your insurance company now because we can upload information, measurements and state approved insurance rates for repairs right to your Claims Adjuster.

• 480,500 were structure fires, causing 2,470 civilian deaths, 14,700 civilian injuries, and $9.8 billion in property damage.
• 172,500 were vehicle fires, causing 300 civilian fire deaths, 800 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage.
• 692,000 were outside and other fires, causing 60 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $813 million in property damage.

In 2012, a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 66 seconds.  Of these fires:

• One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds.
• One civilian fire injury was reported every 32 minutes.
• One civilian fire death occurred every 3 hours and 4 minutes.
  

Tips for handling fires and preventing them in high rise buildings in Westchester County, NY 10708