There may be a situation where there is no way to get out. It may be necessary to sit tight and wait for the Fire Department to put the fire out. Close as many doors between you and the fire as possible. Stuff the cracks of the door, and any vents that are allowing smoke into the room. If available, add additional material such as a mattress or a table over the door an prop them in place with other pieces of furniture. Make your location known. If there is a phone available and it works, call for help. If there is no phone, or it doesn’t work, yell, hang a sheet out a window to get someone’s attention. If you need to open a window do so, but avoid breaking the window if possible. The need may arise to close the window if smoke from outside is coming in.

SMOKE DETECTORS

Tests have shown that smoke detectors of either the ionization or photoelectric type should provide adequate warning to the occupants for most residential fires. Ionization detectors respond slightly faster to open, flaming fires than the photoelectric type, but the photoelectric detectors respond faster to smoldering fires with little or no visible flame.

Detectors should be located on the ceiling at least four inches from the wall, or on the wall four to twelve inches from the ceiling to the top of the detector. In the City of Los Angeles, detectors are required in each sleeping room and the areas giving access to them.

Smoke detectors in your home can be of the battery-operated type or wired into your house electrical system, otherwise known as "hard wired". There are also dual function detectors that are hard wired but have a back-up battery in case of power failure. Choosing between photoelectric or ionization type is up to you as both types meet the accepted safety standards. If you have battery operated smoke detectors you must maintain them, and make sure that the batteries are replaced  regularly. Do not remove the batteries because of nuisance alarms such as steam from showers etc. These problems should be dealt with in another manner such as moving the detector or simply closing doors. Studies have shown that in residential fires causing death, 60% of those residences did not have smoke detectors, had disconnected the smoke detectors, or had dead or missing batteries. Consider changing the batteries every six months. This would also be a good time to vacuum the detector and remove as much dust as possible. This will help to insure that it will work properly when you need it. If you have hardwired detectors, consider purchasing a couple of battery type and mounting them in strategic places as a back-up system.

Some special considerations for the elderly or the handicapped may need to be addressed in your home. In general, households with elderly or handicapped occupants need a higher level of protection in order to provide additional escape time. As an example, a supervised alarm system where the alarm is monitored by an alarm company that would call the Fire Department, or in the case of someone with a hearing loss, detectors that activate lights, bed shakers or fans.

FIRE ALARMS

Fire alarm systems that are monitored by an outside agency can serve a useful function and add a feeling of security to a family’s home. However, don’t let that become a false sense of security. Make sure that in the event of any smoke, fire or alarm that you also place a call to the Fire Department. After all, it is your home and your family. Never assume that the notification will be made for you by the alarm company.

In some areas, residential sprinkler systems are required in all new construction. If your house has sprinklers, generally the price of your fire insurance will go down. Be sure to tell your insurance company if you have had such an installation. The major positive aspect of sprinklers in your home is the fact that they will usually prevent a fire from spreading from one room and limit the area of damage. Never hang anything from the sprinkler heads. It is tempting around the holidays but this could cause accidental activation of the system or prevent the system from working when you need it.

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Los Angeles Fire Department
200 North Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 485-5971