How do we protect ourselves and our children from incorrect use of home heating methods in the winter?

Written By ندى ماهر عبدربه on 2023/12/06

This article was written originally in Arabic and is translated using a 3rd party automated service. ArabiaWeather is not responsible for any grammatical errors whatsoever.

Arabia Weather - With heavy rains, snowfall, and low temperatures, many people find themselves spending more time inside their homes in search of warmth, and in light of the successive waves of severe cold and the diversity of heat sources, the challenges that individuals face are increasing, especially in the presence of children.

Incidents of fires and gas leaks increase during the winter, and therefore it is vital to take the necessary safety measures to protect individuals and families. This article provides a set of tips and directions for safety and the precautions that must be taken, with the aim of avoiding potential risks and preserving the safety of personal life and the lives of children, in addition to protecting property and homes. From home fires.

How do you protect your family from home fires during the winter?

Keep a handy fire extinguisher in the home at all times.
Avoid placing flammable items , such as clothing, blankets, and curtains, near heat sources such as space heaters.
Do not leave heaters on while sleeping or when leaving the house.
Avoid using heaters for drying clothes, cooking, or boiling water.
Make sure flammable products are out of the reach of children and sealed.
Place space heaters away from doorways and hallways in the home.
Maintain constant ventilation in the home to eliminate any flammable gases.
Unplug space heaters, phone chargers, and electrical outlets at night , to reduce the risk of home fires.

Actions that must be taken when a member of your family is exposed to a fire:

Immediately call 911 to ensure rapid medical assistance arrives.
Immerse the affected area in cold water to cool the burn and reduce the severity of the pain.
Gently and carefully remove any tight clothing or accessories that may be on the affected area, taking care not to tear the burned skin.
Cover burns with a dry, sterile, non-adhesive bandage to provide protection and promote the healing process. You should avoid using any adhesive materials, such as surgical tape, directly on burns.
Urge the injured person to drink a large amount of water without feeling nauseous, to help replace the fluids that his body may lose as a result of the burns.

Remember that these measures are considered first aid, and doctors should always be consulted to evaluate the exact condition and provide the necessary medical care.

What to do and what to avoid to protect yourself and your children from incorrect use of home heating means in the winter

What to avoid:

Use the heater to dry clothes, cook, or boil water.
Leave heaters on while sleeping or when leaving the house.
Do not approach or play with flammable products.
Playing where there are heaters.
Turn on electrical sources if there is a suspected gas leak.

What to do:

Make sure flammable products such as clothing, blankets or curtains are kept away from heaters.
Make sure flammable products are out of the reach of children and are tightly sealed.
Place space heaters away from doorways and hallways.
Make sure there is a manual fire extinguisher inside the house at all times.
Ventilate the house constantly.

If a gas leak is discovered in the home, it is preferable to take the following measures:

Call Civil Defense or Emergency at 911 to request quick assistance.
Close the valve of the gas cylinder or heater immediately to prevent the spread of gas into the house.
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the place and facilitate the merging of the gas with the outside air.
Make sure you evacuate the house safely and help children, the elderly, and people with disabilities out.
Avoid lighting cigarettes or lighting under any circumstances, as it is preferable to use safe, non-flammable light sources.
Avoid spilling water on the floor, as this may cause a dangerous reaction with the gas.

How to prepare your children to deal with any emergency at home during the winter includes the following steps:

Talk to your children frequently about public safety, especially about what actions to take in emergency situations.
Make sure that your children know how to contact civil defense and the competent authorities in cases of necessity.
Reinforce the ideas of safety and security in a fun way through entertaining games that educate the child about these topics.
Train your children on how to escape in the event of a fire or any other dangerous situation.
Teach your children how to deal with fires and use basic firefighting methods so that they are able to protect themselves.
Explain to your children that fires spread quickly, and that breathing in dangerous fumes can be very dangerous for them.