EMERGENCIES INVOLVING FIREChip Pan and Electrical Fires FIRE The best thing to remember when there is a fire in the house is –
- GET OUT
- CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE OUT
- STAY OUT
Smoke, especially from plastic-foam upholstery, can kill in less than two minutes. It is a good idea, however, to know how to deal with small household emergencies. Chip or Frying pan fire Step 1
Turn off the heat on the cooker immediately. Step 2
Carefully cover the pan with a lid, plate, damp tea towel or fire blanket. Tip DO NOT throw water on it. DO NOT move the pan. DO NOT uncover the pan for at least half an hour, even though the flames seem to have died down. The addition of any oxygen reignites the flames.
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Burning Electrical socket or appliance (EXCLUDING TV OR COMPUTER) Step 1
Switch off the electricity at the main fuse box. Tip
Find out where the main fuse box is situated in readiness for any emergency. |
Step 2
Extinguish the fire with water or fire extinguisher (ensuring it is suitable for this purpose). Tip DO NOT throw water on an appliance or fitting when the electricity is still turned on. DO NOT touch any switch on a burning appliance or fitting.
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Burning TV or Computer Step 1
Switch off at the main fuse box or take out the plug . Step 2
Smother the fire with a blanket, rug or preferably a fire blanket if one is to hand. Tip DO NOT use water or fire extinguisher. This is because residual electricity main remain in the appliance.
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Smell of burning, or sparks, from an appliance Step 1
If the item in question has a plug, turn off the socket switch and pull out the plug. If the item is a fixed appliance (no plug), turn off the main switch at the fuse box BEFORE turning off the switch on the appliance. Step 2
Get the item checked by a qualified electrician. Smell of burning, or sparks, from a socket or plug Step 1
Turn off the main switch at the fuse box. Step 2
If it is the plug which is hot, carefully remove it from the socket. The electricity can now be turned back on. Step 3
Check the plug’s connections, fuse contacts and flex for damage. Renew or replace as necessary. Step 4
If it is the socket which is hot, remove the relevant circuit fuse from the main fuse box. The power can now be turned back on. Tip Familiarise yourself with the main fuse box in order to be prepared in an emergency.
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Step 5
Call a qualified electrician to examine the socket. UPHOLSTERY AND CLOTHING FIRES | 
