Daily we hear fire sirens, many going to medical emergencies but way too many are en route to a home or apartment fire. Is your family prepared?
Keeping you and your family safe is a top priority and there are simple steps to take to stay safe. Preparing for emergencies such as a fire is often talked about but proper action is rarely taken. Fires can be prevented by taking time and precautions to remove the risk factors from your home or daycare.
Fire Risk Factors
Risk factors include: unattended cooking, smoking, burning candles, electrical malfunctions, and failure to maintain heating equipment and no smoke alarm.
Every home and child care center should have smoke alarms. Approximately 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or alarms that do not work. Smoke alarms should be placed outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home. If you don’t have a working smoke alarm, install one now. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can escape quickly. Remember to check your smoke alarms monthly and replace them every 10 years.
Fire Escape Plan
Every family and child care center should have a fire escape plan. It should be practiced and children should be aware of all escape routes. Make sure to practice the plan and review it with all family members. Many people think they will have several minutes to get out after the smoke alarm sounds but in reality it is often less than 6 minutes. Once outside safely, call 911.
- 2 out of every 5 home fires are started in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
- Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
- Electrical failure or malfunctions caused an average of almost 48,000 home fires per year, resulting in roughly 450 deaths and nearly $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
- If you have upper levels in your home, a rope ladder can be installed to use in case of emergency.
- Always remember to put out candles and smoking materials before going to bed or leaving the home.
- Ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves should be disposed of correctly in a metal container and away from the house. Make sure grill fires are completely out when done grilling.
- A home inventory is also important. In case or fire, do you know what all you have in your home and its value? This is very important for insurance and replacing items.
Take time to keep your family safe by removing risk factors from your home and daily activities.
Source: National Fire Prevention Agency
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