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What to do if you wake up to your house on fire
Safety tips on how to escape a house fire. Number one? Stay calm. Tess Sheets, Florida Today
Waking up to flames devouring a home can be terrifying, but taking certain steps before and during the fire can easily double a resident's chances of surviving, firefighters say.
To spread the word about those efforts, Salinas firefighters have been holding open houses this week, including one Wednesday afternoon at Station 3 on Abbott Street.
There, Sabrina Webb, a fire inspector with the Salinas Fire Department, educated parents and children on fire safety, with a few activities for them as well.
Everyone should know at least two ways out of their home, and if they are caught in a structure fire, stay as low to the ground as possible, she said.
They also should practice fleeing a fire at least twice per year.
They should also get out as fast as possible: they should only grab people and, depending on the situation, pets. Mementos, such as photo albums, aren't worth a life, she said.
In addition, never go back inside a burning building after escaping it, she said.
But prevention and preparation can play a big role. By storing important documents and those precious keepsakes in a fireproof safe or box, residents can focus on getting out, she said.
The biggest step to improve safety, though, is having functioning smoke detectors, she said. They double a person's chances of surviving a fire.
There should be one on every level of the home, especially in bedrooms. Batteries should be tested and changed as needed, she said.
If a smoke detector is more than 10-years-old, it needs to be replaced, she said.
In Salinas, firefighters have found that some landlords don't install smoke detectors in rental units, she said.
The American Red Cross will give out and even install free smoke detectors.
Homes should also have a fire extinguisher with a "Rated 2A10BC" — water won't put out certain types of fires, such as a grease fire in the kitchen, Webb said.
In the kitchen, make sure pots and pans' handles are turned inward, so they aren't sticking out from the stovetop, she said.
Throughout the home, all cords should be in good repair. In addition, electrical outlets shouldn't feel warm to the touch.
If they do, contact the landlord or an electrician.
Salinas fire is holding two more events. On Thursday, Station 5 will have an open house at 1400 Rider Ave. from 3 to 6 p.m.
On Friday, firefighters will be at Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, 196 E. Laurel Drive from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with discounts for ice cream that's free for anyone 12 and younger.