No. 6, 2014
CENTRE PLUS NEWS FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES (Fire and Rescue Station)
In this issue of the newspaper we are going to discuss fire prevention measures and suggest, how to reduce its ravages. Also we are going to advice, what to do in the case of emergency. Fire and rescue station has been operating since the early years of independence of Lithuania. The main functions of it are as follows: extinguishing fires and rescue, international aid, fire prevention, fire and civil protection training, fire rescue training, and so on. Fire is out of control burning. Within 30 seconds a small fire in a fireplace may turn out of control, after 2 minutes there is a risk to life, and within 5 minutes the fire can cover the whole house. The leading cause of death in a fire is asphyxiation after breathing the products of fire/ burning, i.e. smoke and toxic gases. A person can lose consciousness and suffocate
or poison in less than 2 minutes. If a fire started in the room and smoke began to accumulate rapidly – get on the floor and crawl very quickly towards the exit. At the bottom, under the smoke, it is easier to breathe and better to see. Do not use elevators in case of fire but hurry away downstairs. Emergency number 112 is the number for unexpected disasters or threats to life, health, safety, the environment or damage to property. In these cases, the main emergency services can be called: police, fire and rescue services, and ambulance. Calling this number it is necessary to explain clearly, what have happened, to give a correct address and the name of location from where you are calling, and to say your name and phone number. One tenth of all fires rise because of irregular electrical devices
or due to improper use of electricity. The most common reasons for fires in electricity system are these: water near electrical wires, overloaded electricity system, bare and not insulated or hanging electrical wires. Keep from getting wet electrical wiring, sockets, plugs or electrical devices. Do not place the vases with flowers or potted flowers on TV or microwave ovens. Regularly check that an electric kettle does not leak, do not pour water in it, when it is plugged in. If an electrical device begins to smoke or burn, first of all it must be disconnected from the power outlet, and only then you can start to extinguish it. If you cannot turn off the power, then you can use only carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguishers.