XN000022-1974-10-11 — Page 4

3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1974.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN FIRE

*******

MANY HOUSEWIVES WHO HAD BEEN VICTIMS OF KITCHEN FIRES, JUST DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

THIS WAS THE CONCLUSION OF INQUIRIES MADE BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF SOME 500 KITCHEN FIRES IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.

THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND 91 OTHERS INJURED IN THESE FIRES.

IN VIEW OF THIS AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS NOW IN A PERIOD WHEN THE DANGER FROM FIRE IS AT ITS PEAK, THE SPOKESMAN OUTLINED BELOW SOME OF THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF A KITCHEN FIRE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF HOUSEWIVES:

*

IF A SMALL PAN CATCHES FIRE ON TOP OF YOUR STOVE, THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TURN OFF THE HEAT. OBVIOUS, YOU MIGHT SAY, BUT IT IS SURPRISING HOW MANY PEOPLE FACED WITH A KITCHEN FIRE ARE NOT AVARE OF THIS ELEMENTARY STEP.

THE NEXT THING TO DO IS TRY SMOTHERING THE FLAME BY COVERING THE FIRE WITH A PAN COVER. IT SHOULD COMPLETELY COVER THE PAN SO AS TO STOP AIR FROM FEEDING THE FIRE. WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR CLOTHING. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER OF THE DRY CHEMICAL OR CARBON DIOXIDE TYPE CA USEFUL ITEM IN ANY KITCHEN).

FOR AN OVEN FIRE, AGAIN THE HEAT SHOULD BE TURNED OFF FIRST. THEN TRY TO SMOTHER THE FLAME BY CLOSING THE OVEN DOOR FOR A FEW MOMENTS. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, USE YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, TRY THROWING BAKING SODA (NOT BAKING POWDER, SALT OR FLOURD ONTO THE FLAMES.

IF THE ABOVE ACTIONS ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL AND THE FIRE THREATENS TO IGNITE OTHER COMBUSTIBLES, GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE FLAT, CLOSE THE KITCHEN DOOR TO PREVENT FIRE SPREAD - AND IMMEDIATELY CALL THE FIRE SERVICES EITHER BY DIALLING 999 OR THE NUMBER OF YOUR NEAREST FIRE STATION CWHICH YOU SHOULD KNOW).

THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ONE SHOULD KNOW THESE STEPS WELL SO THAT ONE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF SUCH A FIRE.

+NEVER RISK CARRYING A BURNING PAN AS YOU COULD EASILY SCORCH YOURSELF, OR BURNING FAT COULD DROP ONTO THE FLOOR AND CAUSE A MUCH BIGGER FIRE. NEVER TRY PUTTING WATER ON A GREASE FIRE AS IT WILL SPATTER AND SPREAD THE FIRE. AND NEVER TRY TO FIGHT ANYTHING BUT A SMALL FIRE,+ HE WARNED.

14