October 8th – 14th is Fire Prevention Week !!
Did you know fires kill more than 4,000 Americans each year and injure approximately 20,000 more?
Or that U.S. fire departments respond to nearly 2 million fires each year, with three-quarters of them occurring in residences.
Here are a few simple Home Fire Safety tips to help keep you safe
Smoke Alarms – Smoke alarms are widely available and inexpensive. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it monthly.
Prevent Electrical Fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Cords and wires should never be placed under rugs or in high traffic areas. Avoid loose electrical connections by checking the fit of the plug in the wall outlet.
Keep Plugs Safe – Unplug all appliances when not in use. If a plug is overheating, smells strange, shorts out or sparks – the appliance should be shut off immediately, then replaced or repaired.
Alternate Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any portable heating unit. Anything that could catch fire should be at least three feet away. Inspect your chimney annually and use fire screens to help keep any fires in the fireplace.
Create an Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house. Practice staying low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your hand. It’s just like a routine school fire drill – but in your home.
Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen and other appliances away from windows with curtains. If there is a wiring problem, curtains can spread a fire quickly. Additionally, keeping your appliances away from water sources like rain coming in from windows.
Clean Dryer Vents – Clothes dryers often start fires in residential areas. Clean the lint filter every time you start a load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete. Make sure your exhaust duct is made of metal tubing and not plastic or foil. Clean the exhaust duct to prevent blockage & check for lint build up behind the dryer at least twice a year.
Be Careful Around the Holidays – If you fill your home with lights during the holiday season, keep them away from anything that can easily catch fire. Check all of your lights prior to stringing them up and dispose of anything with frayed or exposed wires.
Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic equipment and wiring at least once a month. Taking a little time to do this each month can really pay off.
Few Fire Facts
- Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., however only 1 in 5 home fires were reported during these hours.
- One-quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
- On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
- Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
- During 2010–2014, roughly, one of every 338 households reported a home fire per year.
- According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half ever practice.
- Three out of five home fire deaths in 2010-2016 were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
- In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 94% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated 80% of the time. When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
