Fire Prevention Week!
Whether it’s from the kitchen, or from the grill in the backyard, fires are dangerous and it is important to protect your family with what to do when a fire occurs.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), last year there were 487,500 structure fires in the United States, out of which 79.4 percent were residential fires. One of the most common types of residential fires are kitchen fires since people mistakenly think they can put out a fire by throwing water into the burning pan.
In 2013, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to 1,598 residential fires, 130 of them being kitchen fires.
To raise awareness towards the risk of fires at home, the NFPA established Fire Prevention Week, which this year begins on October 5 until October 11. By having the proper fire safety devices to warn of fires and preparing an escape plan for your home, you can reduce the possibility of fatalities due to home fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), children playing with matches or lighters are a leading cause of home fires that may often injure a child. Also, kids can accidentally start a fire due to inappropriately tampering with a heater or electronic appliances. It’s important to keep a close eye on minors and not leave them unattended.
Along with children, a close eye must also be kept on the elderly. The USFA states that the risk of death from fire for adults over 65 is two times greater than the risk for adults under 65.
The predictability of a fire breaking out in a home is nonexistent, which is why your home should have installed smoke alarms. As the most popular fire safety device in homes, the purpose of a smoke alarm is to protect you from fires when you’re asleep. Additionally, smoke alarms can be battery-operated and hard-wired. The difference in those two is that hard-wired smoke alarms are connected together so when one alarm is activated, all the alarms in the home go off.
It’s recommended to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer when installing smoke alarms in the home. Generally, they should be installed no more than three fee from air heating systems and at least three feet from the door to a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.
Smoke alarms have a lifespan of 10 years. Although its life span is long, testing and keeping maintenance of smoke alarms in your home is crucial. Smoke alarms must be tested once a month. To test a smoke alarm, push the test button to ensure that the alarm is working properly. If it isn’t, you must immediately replace the alarm. If you home uses battery-operted smoke alarms, you must change the battery every six months.
Another method of protecting your home from a fire is with residential fire sprinklers that can be activated when the fire is in its early stages. Sprinklers are powerful due to their ability of controlling the fire from expanding by spraying water on the burning object. The way residential fire sprinklers work is when a fire starts, the fire sprinklers near the fire discharge water. Residential fire sprinklers release water at a low amount so the home will not flood. Homes with residential fire sprinklers should not only rely on them to keep their home protected. Having both, fire sprinklers and smoke alarms provides additional protection for your family and your home.
Finally, the most important aspect of keeping your family safe from the dangers of a fire is having a fire evacuation plan that will assume that your family knows what to do in an emergency. The following are important aspects in a fire evacuation plan:
• Immediately leave the home. Don’t dedicate time gathering up belongings. Take the safest exit route out of the home. If smoke is in the house, remember to crawl low under the smoke. Once safely outside, call 9-1-1.
• Know your way out. If the main exit is blocked by fire and smoke, you and your family must know an alternative way to get out. It’s recommended that your family practice escaping by both the main and alternative routes to be sure that there are no obstacles or complications that can hinder your escape from the home. Moreover, try practicing in the dark.
• Feel the door. When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the door knob and the crack between the door and door frame. This is done to make sure that the fire is not on the other side of the door. If it feels hot, use an alternative exit from the room; if the door feels cold, open it carefully by bracing your shoulder against the door and opening it slowly. If smoke or heat enters the room, slam the door and use the alternative exit.
• Arrange a safe meeting place. Designate an area at a safe distance form the house (i.e. the end of the driveway, front of the sidewalk, etc.) where everyone can meet.
The NFPA states that last year, 85 percent of deaths due to a fire occurring in the home. It’s imperative that you take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones so when fire strikes, you and your family are prepared.