Fire Safety: Every Second Counts!

Recently, I went with my two young boys and my husband to the 2018 Weber Fire District Open house held on October 10th. There, we learned all about fire safety, prevention, emergency response teams, and all about our local fire department. It was an awesome event!

This was our first time attending such an event. There was even a smoke maze to help kids navigate which way led to safety as they crawled on their hands and knees in the dark.  Of course, the smoke wasn’t really smoke but breathable air/fog created by machines.

There were bounce houses, medical helicopters, safety and sprinkler trailers, face painting, train rides, the chance to try on actual fire fighter gear and a wildland display. 

Every child at the event received a bag containing fire prevention reading material and ways your family can escape your home in an emergency along with some fun prizes.

When preparing for a home fire escape plan you and your family need to:

 Plan Ahead!

• Draw a map of your home
• Find two ways out of each room
• All windows and doors should open easily.  You should be able to use them to get outside
• Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Have a family member push the test button to make sure each alarm is working
• Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of the house.  Everyone should meet at the meeting place. 
• Learn emergency phone numbers for your fire department

Now you are ready to practice your home fire escape drill!

From the Fire Prevention Week News Magazine in the October 2017 issue, we learn, “Many people underestimate the speed and power of fire. Seconds can mean the difference between escaping safely from fire and tragedy.  Fire moves fast.  You may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. “

Additionally, the article points out that, “Firefighters and fire-safety educators agree that when members of a household create a home escape plan and practice what to do and where to go when the smoke alarm sounds, the likelihood of a safe escape increases significantly.”

Fire Prevention Week is always around the dates of October 8-9. This commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which was a 2-day blaze killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless and destroying more than 17,400 structures and 2,000 acres.

This tragedy, of the Great Chicago Fire, inspired reform across America. This is why we have so many public awareness campaigns and fire safety codes.  The importance of fire education is highlighted every October through this campaign.

There is also a concern for those who are disabled to practice fire drills as well.  Again, we learn from the FPW News Magazine that, “Disabilities can present many types of challenges when evacuating your home in the event of a fire or other emergency. “

So be sure to practice the fire escape plan with those members of your family who are disabled.

Smoke Alarm Essentials:

The need for a smoke alarm in every home is critical.  They cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms for the best protection. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button
• Make sure everyone in your home knows the sound and understands the warning of the smoke alarm and how to respond
• A closed door may spread the smoke, heat and fire
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old

Spread the word to educate about fire safety and start in your own home first