NFPA Fire Prevention Week

10/6/2014 (Permalink)

This week of October 6^th 2014 is the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week!  This year’s theme is “Working Smoke Alarms save Lives!”  Test yours every month!

Accoring to statistical data from the NFPA, in 2012 an estimated 1,375,500 fires were responded to in the United States.  These fires caused 2,855 deaths and 16,500 civilian injuries while costing more than 12.4 billion dollars in damages.  Though some fires are unavoidable acts of nature, many fires in the home and workplace are avoidable.

Here are some 10 key fire safety tips that you should adhere to:

1. Watch your cooking – Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.  Never allow young children around the stove or oven, especially if they are not closely attended.

2. Give space heaters space – Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. 

3. Smoke outside – If you must smoke inside, have a sturdy, deep ashtray.  Never smoke in bed.

4. Keep matches and lighters out of reach – Keep matches and lighters in high cabinets, preferably under a child lock.

5. Inspect electrical cords – replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.

6. Be careful when using candles - Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn.  Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.

7. Have a fire escape plan – Make a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

8. Install smoke alarms – install alarms on every level of your office or home and inside bedrooms.  Interconnect them so they all sound at once.

9.  Test smoke alarms - Test your smoke alarms once per month.  Replace batteries once per year as needed. 

10.  install sprinkles – Sprinkles can help maintain and sometimes even extinguish fires, giving your local fire department a better chance of saving your property.