Franklin Fire Public Safety Information

WHAT TO DO AFTER A FIRE

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.

If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.

Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.

The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.

Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.

Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.

If you leave your home, contact the local police department to let them know the site will be unoccupied.

Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.

Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

Check with an accountant or the Internal Revenue Service about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.

FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Franklin Fire & Rescue encourages you to learn more by downloading this free checklist. » DOWNLOAD Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist (PDF)

WILDFIRE SAFETY

More and more people are making their homes in remote mountain sites. Residents there enjoy the beauty of the North Carolina Mountains but face the very real danger of wildfires. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. In a wildfire, every second counts! Franklin Fire & Rescue offers the following free download concerning Wildfire Saftey. » DOWNLOAD Wildfire Safety Brochure (PDF)

TORNADO SAFETY

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). They are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles.

TornadoWatch
Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!

Tornado Warning
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately underground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom). » DOWNLOAD Tornado Safety Brochure (PDF)

FLOOD SAFETY

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days
that saturates the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a streamor low-lying area.

Flood/Flash Flood Watch
Flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.

Flood/Flash Flood Warning
Flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. » DOWNLOAD Flood Safety Brochure (PDF)

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states, while others affect only a single community. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain.

Winter Weather Advisory
Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

Winter Storm Watch
Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay
informed about weather conditions.

Winter Storm Warning
Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately. » DOWNLOAD Winter Weather Safety Brochure (PDF)

HEAT SAFETY

In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. Generally temperatures are 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region during summer months, last for a long period of time and occur with high humidity as well. » DOWNLOAD Heat Safety Information (PDF)

POWER OUTAGES

Sudden power outages can be frustrating and troublesome, especially when they last a long time. If a power outage is 2 hours or less, you need not
be concerned about losing your perishable foods. For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible. » DOWNLOAD Power Outage Checklist (PDF)

PET SAFETY

Our pets enrich our lives inmore ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. The best way to ensure the safety of your family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets. Being prepared can help save lives. Franklin Fire and Rescue offers the following free download to help you prepare. » DOWNLOAD Pet Safety Checklist (PDF)

For additional information please contact Franklin Fire & Rescue by calling (828) 524-2332.