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Home » Family Articles » Fire Protection Is Your Family Prepared

Fire Protection - Is Your Family Prepared?

Is there such a thing as a fireproof home? The answer is no. The best anyone can do is actively take steps to prevent a fire from starting in the first place, and, if one should occur, make sure you and your family knows what to do to get out safely and have the tools to do so.

Fire Prevention:

What kinds of things can you and your family do to actually prevent a fire?

1. Identify potential fire sources in your home such as the stove and other cooking equipment, heaters, portable heaters, water heater, etc. Make sure nothing flammable is stored near these heat sources. That includes pot holders and towels near the stove, or flammable items stored above the stove. Don't tempt your children to reach above the stove for candy or cereal - store those types of items away from any heat source.

2. When cooking make sure you're not wearing loose, long sleeves which could catch fire.

3. Don't smoke in bed.

4. Don't locate heaters within three feet of your bedding or other flammable upholstery.

5. Keep matches and lighters away from children.

6. Help prevent electrical fires by making sure not to overload electrical circuits. When not using them make sure you unplug unnecessary appliances.

7. Use extra precautions when using candles, especially around children and pets. Don't allow candles to burn unattended.

Fire Warning and Safety:

What kinds of things can you and your family do to remain safe should a fire occur?

1. Make sure you use smoke detectors on every floor of your home and near the bedrooms to alert you in case a fire breaks out.

2. Make sure you test the detectors regularly, and make sure batteries are replaced annually.

3. Draw up an escape plan for your family and make sure you practice that escape plan periodically. Ideally you should also have an alternate escape route drawn up should the primary escape route become blocked.

4. If you have a second or third story, make sure the bedrooms have escape ladders which are located near the windows and easy to use. These should become part of your escape route practice.

5. Make sure you have fire extinguishers in your home which are easy to get to in case of a fire. Do research the different types of fire extinguishers so you know which one to buy. Some extinguishers are only effective on certain types of fires.

6. Consider purchasing a fire blanket which can be used to extinguish a fire, such as a fire on the stove. Keep the blanket handy in the kitchen.

7. If a fire occurs in your home make sure you get yourself and your family out as quickly as you can, but try not to panic. If you are in your room and don't know if it's safe to open the door, check the temperature of the door. If it's hot don't open it. One way to check for heat is to check the temperature of the doorknob by spitting on it. If it sizzles and evaporates you know there's probably fire on the other side of the door. If trapped inside be sure to cover smoke entry points with wet towels or blankets. And yell for help or call 911 immediately. If you are able to exit, be sure to Crawl low to the floor to avoid getting affected by the fumes or smoke, as smoke and heat rises.

With careful planning and attention to safety, you and your family can prevent and survive home fires. This is truly one instance where an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Effective Listening Equals Effective Leadership: Learn How!

No matter what role you play in your company, becoming a more effective listener will help you get ahead in your position. It means fewer errors, improved accuracy, and enhanced working relationships.

And, listening to your customers and referral sources will definitely help you in your marketing efforts. You will solicit better information from other people whether interviewing job candidates, solving work problems, or working to make a sale.

Contrary to what many people think, being an effective listener is not a passive activity. It takes concentration, effort, and active attention. Because our brains work much faster than our ability to speak, we often jump way ahead of the speaker in our minds and miss the opportunity to fully understand a person's feelings, position, and perspective. Environmental distractions or personal biases can also interfere with our ability to understand what a person is saying.

When listening, you are giving a gift of your time and attention to the other person. Work to respond both verbally and non-verbally to the person who is speaking. This lets the speaker know that you are listening and that you understand what he or she is trying to communicate. Here are some ideas to help you hone your listening skills:

1. Don't Talk. This may seem self-evident. However, many people listen with impatience. They are just waiting for their chance to speak, or worse yet they interrupt. Be courteous and give your listener your full attention. Avoid offering solutions if the speaker is expressing a problem. Just listen.

2. Listen Fully. A good listener looks interested in what the speaker is saying. Your body language speaks volumes. Maintain eye contact, sit still, lean slightly toward the speaker, and nod your head (but not too vigorously or you'll look like a chicken!).

3. Ask Clarifying Questions. Wait for the speaker to pause, and ask clarifying questions. It's a good idea to paraphrase what the speaker has said and to ask questions such as, "Did you mean..." or "If I understand correctly, you said..."

4. Provide Feedback. Remain engaged in what the speaker is saying and show this verbally. He or she will appreciate the occasional "I see..." or "Really?" or "I know!"

5. Keep Your Mind Open. The point of listening is to gain new information. Don't just search for a point that supports your own opinions. Be willing to gain new insights and learn about someone else's ideas.

6. Be on the Same Level. Make sure you are at eye level with the other person. Avoid having an employee or customer stand in front of your desk. Have comfortable chairs available so that a desk is not a barrier between you.

7. Respect Your Speaker. If the conversation involves criticism from either party or contains personal information, go to a private room for the discussion. Make sure other people can't listen to your discussion. This will help the speaker feel more at ease and demonstrate your respect for what he or she has to say.

8. Pay Attention to Cues. What isn't being said is often as important than what is being said. Body language speaks volumes. Watch the speaker's facial expressions, posture, eyes, gestures, and other nonverbal cues.

9. Avoid Invalidating Language. While you may not agree with what the speaker is saying, avoid defensive statements or phrases that argue with his or her points. Later, you can take time to review what was said and formulate a response. As an active and effective listener, your role is to allow the person the time and space to fully express his or her feelings.

10. Express Appreciation. Thank the listener for sharing his or her thoughts and feelings. It takes courage to speak up. True sharing builds trust and encourages further dialogue.

It takes time and energy to become a better listener. Be patient. As you begin to improve your listening skills, you may be surprised to find people will seek you out to share their thoughts and feelings. You will also find yourself involved in fewer conflicts and be perceived as a more positive and trustworthy person. Attentive listening is a rare skill that people respect and welcome.

ACTION ITEM: This week, concentrate on your listening skills. Do you finish sentences for others? Do you interrupt? Do you sneak looks at your watch? Pay attention to your listening habits and begin to bring conscious attention to improving these skills. Work to show others that you hear and understand them.

Copyright 2006 Marketing Maven