page background

Disaster preparedness

November 2018

Disasterpreparedness November 2018

Helpful tips from Taipei City government

It is getting colder and winter is definitely coming. As you interact with the Taipei City Government you will get more chance to join upcoming activities and get breaking News from us. One important tip can help you keep yourself warm and safe during the winter. In order to keep yourself warm, you will probably use heaters. Heaters can be dangerous if not used properly. If you forget to turn off the heaters do you have any idea how quickly the fire could spread? I am going to share a video with you that shows that it only takes 48 seconds for great sheets of flame to leap across the space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxBbD5OIhzA&list=PLV6Xr2F7h_h22gWlTn2SCiVUpQ82OOtiQ&index=2

When you face a serious fire what are you going to do to keep you and your family safe? How can you be better prepared to cope with a serious emergency? We all agree that every fire is different and requires a different response. You might know some primary stages to cope with an accident but if you are not willing to think about any possible conditions of fire beforehand there is no benefit. For example, when you are entering a strange place, it is necessary to pay attention to emergency exits locations that might give you more time to escape when a fire occurs.

Here are some tips that could save your life:

zoom_out_map

1. Making an escape map

Plan and practice a fire escape plan. If you make a conclusive decision when you face a fire you might be able to "live away". Reviewing the escape map and determining a meeting location is an important thing to do for you and your family.

zoom_out_map

2. When a fire is in your apartment:

If a fire breaks out in a room, you should leave the room and close the door behind you. This can restrict the fire in the room in order to slow down the pace of the fire spreading. Moreover, this gives you more time to escape. If you notice the smoke layer is going down to the floor, it is better to lower yourself and crawl on the floor to evacuate.

zoom_out_map

3. When a fire is not in your apartment:

If you are not able to identify the fire's exact location, you can feel a door with the back of your hand to check its temperature and you can also check to see if any smoke is coming from the crack between the door and its frame. If you are not finding any smoke then you can begin to evacuate. After you leave, close the door but do not lock the door. Run to the emergency staircase immediately but if there is a fire in the staircase, step back to the room and close the door.

zoom_out_map

Fire place reminder: escape to the lower floor

Once you have made sure that there are no signs of fire in the safety staircase, then you should move downward to the ground floor and also make sure you close the door behind you.

You might need to save yourself and others during the primary stage of an accident. Here are some common mistakes:

zoom_out_map

Question 1: When a fire occurs, do you run to the top floor?

If you are in an early stage of a fire, get yourself out of the building to the ground floor. If the staircase has signs of smokes, DO NOT try to get through it to reach the ground floor. It is better to stay in a room which has windows and close the door to wait for rescue.

zoom_out_map

Question 2: Is it necessary to get a wet towel when you escape ?

This is absolutely wrong. Wet towels can NOT prevent the smoke or other toxic chemicals from getting into your lungs. Taking a wet towel to escape through thick smoke will only cause faster death. You should choose a room with an external window and close the door and wait for rescue.

zoom_out_map

Question 3: Is closing a wooden door useless if the temperature exceeds 700 degrees?

If the room’s compartment is not flammable, CLOSING the wooden door will be useful. Moreover, it is necessary to have an external window in a sheltered room. Be sure to open the window after closing the door.

https://youtu.be/akYufyx7TA0

Public safety is counting on you!!

Our department has a lot of fire prevention information for companies and schools. Also, you can click the website, https://www.119.gov.taipei/home.php?id=732 , to get more knowledge from watching videos and you are welcome to stop by Taipei Fire Department to ask for help if you have any questions.

zoom_out_map

Taipei City Fire Department

Email: bena@gov.tw
Website: https://www.119.gov.taipei/
Location: 11053 台北市信義區松仁路1號
Phone: +886 2 2729 7668
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/119.Taipei/