October is Fire Prevention Month

10/15/2018 (Permalink)

No one plans for a fire, but you can plan FOR a fire.

In October 1871, there were many fires burning in the Midwest.  The largest and deadliest was NOT the Great Chicago Fire, even though the folklore is deep with that fire, with a cow supposedly kicking over a lantern.

Since 1922, the U.S. has observed a Fire Prevention Week, the second week of the month.  In 2000, we added a Fire Prevention Month.

Are you prepared for a fire, either to prevent one or escape one if one starts?  Here are a few helpful tips to keep your family safe:

SMOKE ALARMS:

• There should be one on every level of your home.
• It is recommended that there be one in every bedroom, and at least one outside of sleeping areas.
• Smoke alarms should either be mounted in a ceiling, or no greater than 10" from a ceiling on top of a wall.
• Try to keep smoke alarms at least 10' from cooking areas, as there would be numerous false alarms.
• They should be cleaned periodically, and the batteries changed regularly.  A good rule of thumb: when you change your clocks in the spring and fall, also change the batteries in your smoke alarms, and clean the to keep dust and grease away from openings.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

• There should be one on every level of the home, plus the garage if you have one.
• There should be at least one in or near the cooking area.
• Fire extinguishers come in different purposes, so make sure you have the proper type.  Type A = all purpose, while type K = kitchen use.  There are other types as well.
• When using a fire extinguisher, remember PASS - Pull pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze trigger, Sweep from side to side.

ESCAPE PLAN:

• Have an escape plan, where there's at least two exits from every room.
• Have a meeting place outside, and away from the house, so everyone can be accounted for.
• Practice this plan with children, so they know what to do if a fire alarm goes off.