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Three times as many people die in mobile home fires,
proportionately, than in single and two-family home fires. For
every 1,000 fires that break out, 21 victims will die in
mobile homes while fewer than seven will die in single or
two-family dwellings.
The primary cause of the
problem is that fire spreads rapidly through mobile home
contents, while the structure itself intensifies heat and
smoke buildup. In addition, most mobile homes have fewer safe
exits than a traditional home.
If you live in a mobile home,
precautions can be taken. Be cautious and vigilant to prevent
fire in your mobile home.
First, if you smoke,
be extremely careful with smoking materials. Never smoke in
bed. If you're feeling tired, don't even smoke in that big,
comfortable easy chair. Always use large ashtrays that have
plenty of room for your cigarette or cigar, and one that won't
tip.
Use caution when cooking.
Keep pot handles turned away from the room.
Don't overload electric
outlets. Mobile home fires are caused by problems in the
electrical system twice as frequently as in traditional
houses. Protect yourself by monitoring your electrical use.
When one powerful electrical appliance is in use, for example
an iron, keep the use of others to a minimum. And never leave
electrical appliances operating unattended.
Don't leave children
unsupervised, even for a quick trip to a neighbor's home
or to the store. It takes only a few seconds for curiosity to
turn to tragedy, and once a fire starts in a mobile home, it
is likely to be deadly. Fire will spread rapidly, trapping the
child. By the time you return home, it will be too late.
Be sure you have enough
smoke detectors and that they are in working condition.
You should have a smoke detector outside every bedroom area.
If your bedrooms are located at different ends of your mobile
home, that means you need two detectors, one to shield each
bedroom area from fires that might start in the rest of the
structure. If a smoker lives or is a frequent visitor in your
home, install an extra detector near where he or she usually
smokes.
Test smoke detectors
monthly. Press the test button, and blow some smoke into
the detector to check its batteries and its quickness in
sensing smoke. Don't leave your family's safety to chance.
Replace batteries at least once a year. It's easy to remember
if you choose a special day like a birthday or anniversary.
Gas
If you have a natural gas or
LP (Liquid Propane) line coming into your home, be sure to
know where the shutoff valve is and how to operate it. Don't
keep LP tanks inside your home, even temporarily. Don't use a
gas stove to heat or dry your home. Also, make sure any gas
appliances vent to the outside of your home--venting one to
the inside can cause death by carbon monoxide poisoning.
And don't ever check a
gas line with a match or other open flame. Don't try to hook
one up yourself, either. Leave both tasks to a qualified
service technician.
Home
Markings
Make sure your lot is clearly
marked. The Fire Department will need to be able to see the
numbers on your home in the event of an emergency.
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