Hurricane Preparedness » Fire Safety after a Hurricane

What to do before evacuating and upon your return to stay alive and safe.

Learn how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and stay fire safe before, during, and after a hurricane.

Fire Safety for Evacuees
 
During evacuations, the immediate need for transportation warmth, food and shelter often take priority over fire safety. However, evacuees focused upon escaping a disaster should also remain mindful of fire safety by making a special effort to protect against creating an accidental fire.
 
Fire Safety During Transit
 
During the 2005 Hurricane Rita evacuations, Texans experienced transportation/vehicles related fires. Vehicles often have highly flammable padding materials and emergency supplies, like bedding, are combustible.

To reduce the risk of fire, you should:
 

1. Obey all restrictions regarding smoking and the use of open flame.  Always extinguish smoking material in a safe method and location.
2. Ensure that vehicles used to transport persons with medical conditions have able-bodied attendants and operators.
3. Avoid spills and ignition sources when transferring gasoline from one container to another.

Fire Safety at Evacuation Destinations
 
When evacuees arrive at their destinations, people may overlook normal fire safety provisions that exist in their normal environment but may not be available in their new displaced or unfamiliar surroundings.  This is especially true in rooms or buildings not normally used for shelter or sleeping. When entering unfamiliar surroundings:
 

1. Locate the closest fire extinguisher.
2. Avoid over crowding in any building or location.
3. Locate exits (at least two) and ensure they are unlocked and not blocked.

Evacuees often need to use temporary cooking and lighting devices in emergency situations. Be sure to:
  

1. Exercise caution when using candles and alternate or portable methods for cooking, such as camping stoves. Restrict their use to well ventilated areas.
2. Keep combustible materials (especially paper and cardboard boxes) away from open flames, space heaters and other electrical devices.
3. Keep electrical circuits from overloading by limiting the number of electrical devices plugged into outlets.
4. When staying in hotels and motels make sure the smoke detector is working.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning!
 
A number of people affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita became sick and died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO, an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death, is found in combustion fumes produced by the small gasoline engines that power portable generators and pressure washers. Carbon monoxide from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, poisoning the people and animals that breathe it.
 
Portable generator use is widespread after natural disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the SFMO expects that pressure washers and portable generators will be commonly used.
 
Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper—or even outside near an open window.
 
You can find information concerning carbon monoxide safety at:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cofacts.asp:  Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/co-materials.asp: Carbon Monoxide Educational Material 

Other Useful Tips

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/utilityplan.shtm: Utility Shut-off and Safety

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/safetyplan.shtm: Safety Skills

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/tips/tornado.shtm: Fire Safety After a Hurricane

Emergency Shelter Safety Standards
 

The State Fire Marshal's Office has the following information regarding fire safety standards for emergency shelters as Texas prepares for the arrival of a hurricane. 

Anyone proposing establishing an emergency shelter for hurricane evacuees should contact his or her local county Emergency Management Coordinator or County Fire Marshal prior to commencing shelter operations. These coordinators will have access to shelter planning information and will facilitate coordination of shelters with the State Department of Emergency Management.

If the Emergency Management Coordinator is not listed in the local telephone book, the County Judge or Sheriff should be contacted for the telephone number.

Source:
Texas Department of Insurance
State Fire Marshal

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fire/fmcanefiresafe.html

Produced by:

National Disaster Education Coalition:

American Red Cross http:www.redcross.org

FEMA www.fema.gov

IAEM www.iaem.com

IBHS www.ibhs.org

NFPA www.nfpa.org

NWS www.nws.noaa.gov

USDA CSREES www.csrees.usda.gov

USGS www.usgs.gov

The Disaster Centerwww.disastercenter.com