Tag Archives: fire prevention month

General Safety Issues

OBSERVE NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!

Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.  This week’s observation began on Sunday, October 6 and goes through Saturday, October 12.  “Prevent Kitchen Fires”—that’s the message of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home—and here are some tips for people on how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place.  Fires that originate in the kitchen are the Number 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries – mainly from unattended cooking.  Some tips to prevent this are to never leave the stove while you are grilling, frying, or broiling food.  Keep wooden utensils, oven mitts and cup towels away from the stovetop.  Keep lids handy to smother a pan fire.  If you can’t control the fire, call 9-1-1 and leave.

 Another tip: establish a three foot “kid-free-zone” around the stove and area where food is being prepared. 

Scald burns are the second leading cause of burn injuries.  Microwaves frequently cause scalding burns.  One example is soup that is heated in the microwave is extremely hot when it comes out, and should be allowed to cool before it is consumed.  Children should be supervised when using a microwave.  If there is a fire in the microwave, leave the door closed, turn it off, and unplug it. 

Smoke alarms serve an important roll in reducing fire deaths.  Once you hear the alarm, there is a chance of  very little time left to get out of the house.  Families should have an escape plan and find ways to get out of every room. 

 According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.  While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it. One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out. 

Take fire seriously, whether it is a kitchen or home fire, workplace fire, campfire, or any other type that you are able to prevent by being attentive.  Firefighters will appreciate your diligence.  Let’s try to make their job a little easier.

 

Source: National Fire Protection Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized, Weather Protection

NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

The week of October 5 through 11, 2008, has passed, which was National Fire Prevention Week, but the whole month of October focuses on fire prevention, so it’s never too late to talk about fire safety!
October 8th, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire occurred.  The theory of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over the lantern being the cause of this enormous fire was later disproved, when Michael Ahern, a reporter for the Chicago Republican admitted he had made up the story to enhance his article.  It did begin in a shed owned by the O’Leary’s, and there are a number of theories about the cause of the fire.

At that time, Chicago was made up of mostly wooden buildings, even sidewalks, and there had been a terrible drought that summer and fall.  Estimates are that around 300 people died as the result of this fire, which covered 4 miles length and one-half a mile wide.  The fire burned from October 8 to October 10, when it finally began to rain.  Firefighters did their best to combat the inferno, which left around 90,000 residents homeless.

October 8, 1920, President Woodrow Wilson declared the First National Fire Prevention Day.  National Fire Prevention Month, which officially began in 1922, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, has been the longest public safety and health campaign in United States history.

The National Fire Prevention Association released the following statistics for 2007:

  • 17,675 civilian individuals were injured due to fire
  • 3,430 civilians lost their lives as a result of fire
  • 118 firefighters killed in the line of duty
  • $14.6 billion in property loss
  • 32,500 structural fires were intentionally set, causing 295 deaths
  • Intentionally set fires caused an estimated $733 million in property damage
  • 1.6 million fires reported

Fire Departments throughout the United States give demonstrations during Fire Prevention Month telling students and the public all about fire trucks, what firefighters wear, how to prevent brush and forest fires, and what to do in case of fire.

Our next installment will be about fire extinguishers, when to use them, and when not to use them!  Stay tuned……………………