Apartment Fire Safety March 2021

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 03/11/2021 12:47 PM PST

March 2021 Apartment Fire Safety

Overloaded outlets and extension cords causing fires

The Seattle Fire Department responded to two home fires last month that involved overloaded power sources and caused significant property damage. Overloaded outlets and the misuse of extension cords are common electrical issues that can cause a home fire.

Extension cords are designed to provide a temporary power source and should be unplugged when not in use. When shopping for an extension device, look for a power strip or surge protector with an internal circuit breaker that will trip the breaker when overloaded.

How to prevent home fires:

Avoid using extension cords. They are meant for temporary use only. They should not be tacked to walls or run under rugs.
Never use extension cords with appliances or space heaters. Plug them directly into wall outlets.
There should only be one surge protector or power strip plugged into a single duplex electrical outlet.
Power strips vary in their capacity but should only be used for items that require light loads such as computers, printers and clocks, for example. They are not made to handle refrigerators or portable heaters.
If the extension cord or power strip feels hot to the touch, replace it.
Do not connect one extension cord or power strip to another. Also known as “daisy chaining.”
Make sure the power strip has been tested by an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL).

Call a qualified electrician or the landlord if you experience any of the following:

Frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers
A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance
Discolored or warm wall outlets
A burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance
Flickering or dimming lights
Sparks from an outlet

Here are a few safety tips to prevent injuries at home.

More electrical fire safety information from the NFPA

Home Fire Extinguisher Basics

In selecting a new home fire extinguisher, make sure it is rated ABC which means it can be used for ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, plastic, flammable liquids like grease or oil-based paints, and electrical equipment like appliances or other items that are plugged in.

After purchasing a home fire extinguisher, make sure to read the instructions and learn some basics by watching videos such as this short video on using a fire extinguisher.

A fire extinguisher should only be used if the following has been considered:

Have I alerted others in the building that there’s a fire?
Has someone called 9-1-1?
Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher?
Is the fire small and contained in a single object (like a pan or a wastebasket)?
Am I safe from the fire’s toxic smoke?
Do I have a clear escape route?

Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher, alert others, leave the building, and call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Children should not use fire extinguishers.

To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

A small fire can turn large in seconds. Never delay calling for help. Make sure 9-1-1 has been called even if the fire goes out so that firefighters can check everything to make sure the area is safe.

What to do with an old or used fire extinguisher?

Both full and empty fire extinguishers may be taken to a local Household Hazardous Waste Site.

Here is more information on fire extinguishers

For questions or more information, contact the Seattle Fire Department.

Virtual apartment fire safety presentations

The Seattle Fire Department is providing free virtual fire safety presentations to apartment residents and staff. Presentations for residents cover how to respond to a building fire alarm, what to do if a fire starts inside an apartment, and how to prevent and respond to a cooking fire on the stove. Staff members can learn the ways to assist the fire department before and during a fire emergency.

For more information or to schedule a presentation contact Public Affairs.