Written by JOHN GROSSKOPF, Fire Chief, Beaver Volunteer Fire Department
Waking up to smoke and flames is one of the worst things that can happen to your family and home. U.S. fire departments respond to a home fire every 86 seconds. That’s over 1,000 fires a day. Over 365,000 fires and 2,650 civilian deaths occur every year, resulting in $7 billion in property damage. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and the worst part is that most home fires are preventable. Keep your family and home safe with fire safety preparation and prevention – a little bit goes a long way. From creating a fire escape plan to making sure your smoke detectors are working properly, these fire safety tips are easy to learn and practice in your home.
Every smoke alarm should be tested monthly by pushing the “test” button and batteries should be changed. A good reminder is when you change your clock, change the batteries. It is best to always have at least one spare battery. If your smoke alarm ever “chirps,” it is time to replace the battery immediately. Most smoke alarm failures occur because of a missing or disconnected battery or a dead battery. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that three out of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires where there were non-working smoke detectors or no smoke detectors at all. The NFPA recommends installing a smoke alarm on every floor, including the basement, and inside every sleeping room. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on a wall, either within a foot of the ceiling or on the ceiling. Remember, smoke rises. It is critical to mount smoke alarms in the kitchen at least 10 feet from any cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking. At times when you open the oven, the rising heat may activate the alarm. Smoke alarms in the basement should be installed on the ceiling, near the bottom step of the stairs to the first floor.
Fire extinguishers are helpful for putting out small fires. Class B fire extinguishers are the best to use in the kitchen – just make sure it is easy to access if needed.
Have an escape plan. Home fires can rapidly spread, and every second counts. Having a plan in place where you and your family can get out of the house in less than two minutes from when the alarm sounds is critical for your family’s safety. Establish a meeting place outside your home where all your family members should report to. Inform the fire department about the status of everyone, including pets. Please do not put yourself in harm’s way trying to retrieve a pet. Close all doors on your way out to minimize the spread of fire. Check closed doors for heat. If the doorknob or door is hot, do not open. Go to the nearest window and make yourself seen so the firefighters can help you. If the room is filled with smoke, crawl low under the smoke to escape. Teach your children to never hide under the bed or in the closet.
There’s no 100% guarantee that a fire will never happen in your home. That’s why it pays to be prepared and take steps to reduce the risk of a home fire. Follow the three “P’s” – prevent, plan, and practice. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms, your family has a fire escape plan, and you have practiced it.
