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Dealing with fire and smoke Posted: 13 December 2009; Category: Campus
Not only fire but smoke also is dangerous. “Smoke is highly toxic and can suffocate us easily. It can be furious and spread very fast as smoke can travel 3 to 5 metres within 1 to 3 seconds.
Smoke can strike and kill in silence,” said Agnes Lee, a trainer with the Fire Prevention Centre, when giving a talk to DISTED College staff recently.
She spoke of the mis-management of fire using cloth and water.
“If a part of your body in on fire, do not apply a wet towel on it as the fabric can stick on to your skin! Use a dry blanket instead or roll on the floor. A powder fire extinguisher can be used except on the face,” she advised.
“Pouring water on a burning body part can lead to horrendous skin damage too,” she said and emphasized her point by showing photographs of burn victims complicated by improper fire fighting techniques.
She stressed the importance of smoke detectors in fire alert.
“Detectors are the first line of defense when a fire breaks out especially in the night. They’re particularly recommended for homes with children and aged elderly,” she said.
“In public places like malls or in a building which is new to you, make it a point to know where the staircases are. Staircases are your key escape route in case of a fire,” she said.
Fire prevention awareness programme, she said, is needed so that people are better prepared to deal with unexpected fire apart from taking precautionary steps to avoid it.
“The programme can help us to create a safer and fire-hazard free environment for our families and working places,” Agnes said.
The event was organized by the DISTED staff association known as the Social, Motivational and Recreational Team (SMART).
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