Foothill Ranch Residents Pound on Neighbor’s Door Reporting Fire

(Lake Forest, Ca) - Foothill Ranch residents give new meaning to the Biblical passage, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” (22:37-39).

“Neighbors called 9-1-1 & pounded on the door of a house with it garage completely on fire on Tizmin in @LakeForestCA at approx 11:15 a.m. today. They rushed in to help the residents & their dog escape from the two- story home,” according to @OCFireAuthority, 10/13/21, on Twitter.

It was touch and go until OCFA firefighters were boots on the ground.

“They then carried another resident, who escaped to the backyard, on their shoulders to the safety of the front yard. Neighbors looking out for neighbors! 👏😇.”@OCFireAuthority continued.

“Cause unspecified electrical. No injuries reported on scene,” OCFA continued.

Situationally aware, action-oriented citizens enable our professional First Responders to take the reigns and handle a scene once the baton hits their palms.

Certainly, Foothill Ranch residents on Tizmin surged with delight and relief once they heard those wailing sirens draw nearer - and saw those big beautiful OCFA engines roll-up.

#Boot are on the ground

“Thank you to @OCSDLakeForest and @SoCal RedCross for their assistance. OCFA provided a $250 SAVE card (Supplying Aid to
Victims of Emergency to the resident. Learn more about that great program here https://www.cafirefoundation.org/programs/supplying-aid-to-victims-of-emergency/

Cause and Effect: Fire Prevention and Safety Measures Relating to Garage Fires

“Electrical malfunction is the leading cause of garage fires. These fires can start because of shorts in wires, damaged wires, and overloading electrical outlets.” - https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/garage_fires.html

Fire safety messages

Remind residents to follow these prevention tips to keep homes safe from garage fires.

• Store oil, gasoline, paints, propane and varnishes in a shed away from your home.
• Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.
• Plug only one charging appliance into an outlet.
• Don’t use an extension cord when charging an appliance.
• Install:
• A 20-minute fire-rated door that is self-closing and self-latching from the garage into the house.
• A ceiling made with ⅝-inch Type X gypsum board (or the equivalent) if you have living space above the garage.
• A wall with ½-inch gypsum board (or the equivalent) if the wall attaches the garage to your home.
• An attic hatch cover if you have attic access from the garage.
• A heat alarm — not a smoke alarm — in your garage. The heat alarm will sound if the temperature rises too high.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/garage_fires.html

HEAT ALARMS

Information to share about heat alarms.

Heat alarms (detectors) respond to fire, not smoke. They are another useful part of any home fire safety plan.

Smoke alarms in garages can sound because of a change in temperature and humidity, as well as dust, fumes and insects. Heat alarms are made to not be affected by these conditions.

Smoke alarms are not required, or designed for use, in garages. Many heat alarm models can be connected to a home’s fire detection system so that if the heat alarm sounds, the smoke alarms will as well.

Tips for buying and installing heat alarms:

Purchase a heat alarm that is:

• Hard-wired with a battery backup.
• Capable of interconnecting with your home’s smoke alarms.
• Rated for temperatures between 175-250 degrees Fahrenheit. Alarms with lower temperature ratings may sound because temperatures in garages rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Alarms with higher temperature ratings may sound too late to warn you of a fire.

Have your hard-wired heat alarm installed by a qualified electrician.

Don’t install heat alarms near fluorescent lights. Electrical noise and flickering from the lights may affect the alarm’s operation.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

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More information on home garage and basement fires

• National Fire Protection Association Educational Messages Desk Reference – These messages provide fire and life safety educators with accurate and consistent language for use when offering safety information to the public. (http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Teaching-tools/Educational-messaging)

• Ready.gov – Prevention and safety tips for the public on household chemical emergencies.

• Residential Building Garage Fires (2009-2011) https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v14i12.pdf

CITATIONS:

Photos copyright @OCFireAuthority

• https://twitter.com/ocfireauth...
• https://twitter.com/ocfireauthority/status/1448399410996469761?s=21
• https://twitter.com/ocfireauthority/status/1448399426075041792?s=21

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