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Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 766

New Year's Eve: Tips from the fire brigade / Correct behaviour in the event of a fire

 

After Christmas comes the last highlight of the year: New Year's Eve. However, the day and night are a spectacle where special care must be taken, as the New Year is greeted not only with a good drink, but also with fireworks. Here are some important safety tips:

  • When buying fireworks, it is essential to check for the presence of the test seal of the Federal Institute for Materials Testing, or "BAM" for short.
  • Never make your own fireworks! The consequential damage can be enormous.
  • Special care should be taken with products from abroad, as the instructions for use are often only printed in the local language or they often do not comply with local safety regulations. Stay away from black market goods!
  • When using fireworks or other pyrotechnic products, always follow the instructions for use!
  • Under no circumstances may fireworks intended for outdoor use be set off indoors.
  • When setting off rockets, the direction of flight must be chosen so that they cannot fly into building openings. Do not aim at people or animals!
  • To be on the safe side, flammable objects should be removed from balconies and building entrances.
  • Table fireworks should be set off on a fireproof surface and not under paper garlands.
  • Leave unlit fireworks lying around and do not touch them.
  • In the city of Chemnitz, persons over the age of 18 are permitted to set off fireworks for the entire 24 hours on 31 December and for 24 hours on 1 January. In the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's homes and old people's homes, however, the setting off of pyrotechnic objects is generally prohibited.

Please exercise the necessary caution when handling open fires or fireworks on New Year's Eve. Your Chemnitz fire brigade wishes you a good start to the New Year.

Correct behaviour in case of fire

Fire brigades are called out every day because a fire has broken out due to carelessness or technical faults. Anyone who discovers a fire must report it immediately. The report should be made directly to the fire brigade by dialling 112. This emergency number can also be used to contact the emergency services in the event of an accident or serious illness.

The report must include details of the location, street and house number. If it is possible to recognise whether people are in danger, this must also be stated. In order to be available for further enquiries, the person making the report should give their name, address and the telephone number from which the report was made. It is very important that the person reporting the fire or other persons who have noticed the fire meet the fire brigade in front of the house or, in the case of buildings at the rear, on the street and instruct them.

If a fire is noticed in your own home, all other people in the home should be informed immediately. If this is possible without danger, an attempt should be made to leave the home. If possible, windows and doors should be closed or kept closed.

If it is no longer possible to leave the flat via the stairwell because it is filled with smoke, the room furthest away from the fire room must be sought, if possible with a window facing the street. In order to be rescued by the fire brigade, you should make yourself heard at the window.

If a smoky area has to be overcome in order to reach safety, it is necessary to crawl or walk on the floor. Smoke and heat rise, jeopardising breathing and consciousness. Sometimes there is still a smoke-free layer in the floor area where you can breathe and orientate yourself.

If the source of the fire is outside your own home, the stairwell should no longer be used at the slightest hint of smoke. Lifts should generally not be used in the event of a fire in the building, even if the stairwell and lift lobby are (still) smoke-free. The effects of the fire can put lifts out of operation. If people are then in the lift, they are trapped in the burning building.

If it is no longer safe to leave the flat, the safest solution is usually to remain in the flat and close the doors. Windows and doors that are close to the fire or through which smoke can enter the home should not be opened. Even low concentrations of smoke can cause considerable damage to health and even be fatal.

Any posted fire safety regulations and the labelling of escape and rescue routes also provide important information. If fire extinguishers or other extinguishing equipment are available, they can be used to attempt to extinguish the fire. However, this is only advisable if the fire is still in the incipient phase. If the fire is already at an advanced stage, extinguishing attempts should no longer be made for your own safety.

In addition, always follow the instructions and information provided by the fire brigade.