Fire Prevention Week

October 9-15, 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week. The goal is to raise fire safety awareness and help ensure your home and family are protected.

Fire Prevention – Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Cooking fires are primarily caused by leaving food unattended while cooking, having combustibles too close to a heat source, and accidentally turning on or forgetting to turn off cooking equipment. Avoid cooking fires by staying in the kitchen when simmering, boiling, or frying and staying in the home while baking and roasting. Keep the cooking area clean and clear of things that can catch fire like pot holders and towels. If a fire starts in a pan, put a lid over it and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool. Moving the pan can cause serious injury or spread fire. Never pour water on grease fires.

Safety Equipment – Smoke alarms are essential. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every floor of the home. Keep smoke alarms 10 feet away from kitchens to prevent false alarms. Position fire alarms on or near the ceiling. Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries as needed. A small fire can be put out with a portable fire extinguisher if caught early. Keep several Class ABC fire extinguishers (for wood, plastics, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment) in key locations throughout the home and out of reach from children. Keep a Class K extinguisher (for cooking oils and grease) in the kitchen.

Escape Plan – Fire spreads fast! A fire can become life-threatening in under two minutes. A home can be engulfed in flames within five minutes. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on an early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Make and practice an escape plan that includes two ways out of every room in case one exit is blocked. Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home.

Visit the NFPA website to learn more: https://www.nfpa.org/fpw