Extinguishing Household Fires

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized as a Best Lawyer of America and New York Super Lawyer, and His Team of Determined, Disciplined, and Dedicated Lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Fight to Obtain the Best Result for Victims Severely Burned in Household Fires in Buffalo, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Rochester, New York; Throughout New York State and Beyond.

Household fires cause immense harm and disparity to individuals and families across the country every single day. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is approximately 1 house fire-related fatality every 3 hours, which averages out to roughly 3,000 deaths annually. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) estimates air temperatures inside of burning houses can reach over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. This explains why smoke inhalation is the top cause of house fire deaths as opposed to burn-related injuries.

Residential fires can ignite due to a variety of reasons, such as faulty electrical appliances, unattended stoves, overheated extension cords, and backyard bonfires. If occupants of a burning house cannot escape immediately, the situation becomes increasingly dire with each passing second. That is why it is crucial to be adequately prepared and armed with the right equipment to be able to quickly evacuate and, if possible, extinguish small fires before they spread out of control. Fire detectors and extinguishers are the most effective pieces of fire safety equipment that you can have at home. Both of these devices can prove to be true lifesavers.

For those who are fortunate enough to escape residential fires, the consequences of smoke inhalation and severe burns can be permanently disabling, disfiguring, and emotionally traumatizing. Fire survivors are often incapacitated at hospitals for weeks or even months, instead of being able to make a living. Even with medical insurance, hospital bills and other treatment costs can pile up quickly, which can be particularly burdensome when victims are out of work. If another’s negligence or irresponsibility caused a fire in your home, we highly recommend consulting with an experienced fire injury attorney to discuss the details of your case. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party may be the only way to start recovering and rebuilding your life.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. founded the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in 2005 with a mission to provide the highest level of personal injury service to victims. Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has exclusively handled serious personal injury and product liability cases. Over time, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has seen the devastating impact that fires can have on a survivor’s life, ranging from third-degree burns and permanent scarring to acute lung damage and even death. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran attorneys understand the psychological trauma and devastation that these injuries can set off. Our battle-tested team of household fire injury attorneys is here to assist you by asserting your legal rights to seek compensation. Honored with a Better Business Bureau A+ Rating, our outstanding law firm will fight to obtain unsurpassed results for your fire-related injuries. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. at least $1,000,000.00 or more 44 times to compensate his clients for their serious injuries. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s highly qualified team is available for your free consultation 24 hours per day and 7 days per week by calling 716-839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

The most effective way to fight household fires all begins with having working smoke alarms. According to the NFPA, smoke detectors should be installed in every room and on every level of your home. It is critical to be able to detect fires as soon as they begin because fumes can cause victims severe lung damage before they even realize there is a fire. Having properly installed and operational fire alarms can prevent many of the injuries and fatalities caused by fires. Thus, extinguishing fires all starts with detecting the blaze, as opposed to just trying to fight every fire.

Installing fire extinguishers around your house is a very effective and inexpensive way to increase fire safety at home. When choosing an extinguisher, the first thing to decide is which areas of your house should have one. It is important to maintain at least one extinguisher on each floor. Be certain to keep extinguishers near places fires are most likely to start, such as the kitchen. Extinguishers should always be placed in convenient and easy-to-grab spots. Everyone in the household ought to know the location of the extinguishers, as well as how to properly use them in the case of an actual fire. Ensure that everyone thoroughly reads and understands the instructions. While fire extinguishers can be an extremely effective means of combating household fires, it is still essential that everyone knows how to safely evacuate the residence. Should a blaze start to burn out of control, everyone in the house should evacuate as quickly as possible and then call 911.

It is imperative to remember fire extinguishers should only be one element of your total fire survival strategy. Safety and survival come before putting out the fire. While it may be costly to replace your valuables, you cannot replace your health or loved ones. Therefore, it is only recommended to use your extinguisher to try and put out small self-contained fires or when trying to create a safe passageway out of the home. If there is already a safe pathway out, fire extinguishers should only be used after ensuring that everyone else has safely evacuated, the exit path is still accessible for the person extinguishing, the house is not filled with smoke, and the fire department has already been called.

Make certain to read all of the instructions and familiarize yourself with your specific fire extinguisher model. Regardless of your model, there are several straightforward steps to operating any fire extinguisher. Stand at least 5 feet away from the flames and follow the NFPA’s recommended PASS procedure:

1. Pull the pin out of the extinguisher, with the nozzle pointing away from you, to release the locking mechanism;
2. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire;
3. Squeeze the level gradually and evenly to discharge the agent; and
4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side of the fire.

Repeat steps 2 to 4, as long as your safety is not placed in jeopardy until the flames are completely out.

Fire survivors can end up confronting long, painful, and costly roads to recovery. If you, or a loved one, have suffered severe injuries or worse in a household fire, you should contact Jed Dietrich, Esq., acclaimed as an American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys, and his elite team of Buffalo, New York fire injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. to learn more about your legal options. Our highly determined, dedicated, and disciplined team will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire to determine who should be held liable for your damages. You may have the right to seek monetary compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and reduced earning capacity, property damage, and loss of enjoyment. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. over $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to compensate his clients for their serious injuries. Our honorable commitment to exceeding your expectations and delivering an excellent outcome sets us apart from the competition. Contact us today at 716-839-3939 to find out more about how we can help you!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!