Fire emergency survival tips
September 11, 2009 by Personal Liberty News Desk
As wildfires are raging in California it may be useful to keep some survival tips in mind, as fire is a type of emergency that can happen anywhere and anytime.
As with most emergencies, prevention is the best way to start. While some types of fire disasters may be better prevented by smoke detectors than others, it is always a good idea to install one at home as they have helped prevent loss of life. Installing fire extinguishers is also good practice.
Each household should have a fire emergency plan and conduct periodic drills to keep the escape plan fresh in mind. All members should know how to use fire extinguishers, know their way out of the house, have emergency phone numbers and working cell phones handy, and know where to meet afterward.
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) says that during a fire emergency, it is important to crawl low in smoke towards the nearest exit covering the mouth with a cloth and once outside never go back. Moreover, tall buildings should be evacuated via stairs not elevators, which can act as chimneys during fire.
When smoke is spotted, OEM says, it is crucial to leave the property first and then dial 911 as most people die from smoke inhalation and not from flames.
As many fires start in the kitchen, the source also suggests keeping combustible items away from the cooking area, and never pour water on grease fires. Rather, use a fire extinguisher or put a lid over the burning pan.
Those who live in areas prone to wildfires should take care to landscape the grounds properly and fireproof all buildings. 
People, if you’re in a wildland area or an urban/wildland interface, there aren’t enough firefighters to protect thousands of homes. Get your defensible space, get a permanent water source of severa hundred gallons, generator, hose and portable pump. Practice using them every year.
Shelter in place until the fire passes (they’re doing that in Australia) and fight fire after the flame front passes, if necessary. Dress appropriately, heavy cotton clothing, gloves and goggles.
I have 14 years with Ca. Dept. of Forestry (now CalFire) and have been watching too many homes burning in the last few years. Evacuate and you can kiss your house goodbye. Houses don’t “burst into flames”. They ignite slowly and can be extinguished unless they have older combustible wood siding and/or wood shingle roofs.
“get a permanent water source of several hundred gallons” Yea that sounds practial. Just leave! You can build a new house!
/Very good information and thank you for sharing. With the generator,hose and pump, Could a sprinkler system be built going up to the roof. And what about digging a large hole to store the things in, because the greatest majority of the heat is at the higher elevations. Building a ‘storage bunker’ just makes sense, does it not?
Has anyone thought of building a ‘watering’ system going up to the roof.
What it is with people in California? If you know you live in a fire hazard area, you should use brick, stone and/or concrete to build a house. If you stay away from wood as much as possible (especilly for a roof), you should greatly reduce your odds of living in a structure that will burn.
I’m surprised that California’s fruit, nut and flake legislature hasn’t demanded that house owners in those high hazard areas pay through ‘both ends’ to live there. Since when are they afraid to TAX people?
California’s insurance businesses could have been raking money by the ton to insure those houses. Doesn’t it make more sense to live in a house that’s fireproof?