Fire Prevention Week, the longest running public health and safety observance on record, is October 7-13. This year’s fire safety campaign theme is, “LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”
For example, look for places in your home where fires can start. Listen for the sounds of smoke alarms and know what to do if you hear them. And, learn how to make a home escape plan. Managing editor Tami Roleff offers more fire safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association…
The National Fire Protection Association offers the following fire safety tips…
Every family should draw a map of their home and mark two exits from each room and how to escape to the outdoors. Practice home fire drills twice a year, once at night, and once during the day. Teach your children how to get out on their own. Make sure your street address is clearly marked to help the fire department find it easily. Install smoke alarms in the kitchen and outside bedrooms, and never disconnect them. Test them monthly. If you do have a house fire, close doors behind you to slow the spread of the flames. Once you are outside, never go back into a burning building.
- Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit. Visit the website for more about fire safety at http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week-audience.
- Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
- Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
- Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
- Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
- Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
- Smoke alarms should be installed throughout the home including the kitchen, basement, and every bedroom and outside sleeping area.
- Never remove or disable smoke alarms.
- Test smoke alarms at least once per month by pushing the test button.
- Interconnect smoke alarms so if one sounds, they all do.
- If smoke alarms don’t work, replace the correct size battery or the entire smoke alarm unit.
- Don’t let children play with fire.
- Don’t leave cooking items or clothing irons unattended.
- Place a portable ladder in each second-floor room.
- Have an updated, emergency first aid kit.
- Develop a family plan and conduct a home “Fire Drill” at least twice a year.
- Check fire extinguishers for expiration and replace as needed.
- Handle gasoline or propane-powered equipment cautiously.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors.
