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Home Fire Prevention Fire Department Staff
Fire Prevention Week - October 4-10, 2009
The Sedalia Fire Department encourages you to take time to learn about fire prevention during Fire Prevention Week 2008. The best way to stay safe from a fire is to avoid starting one in the first place and keeping your family safe is easy with some practical, common-sense tips.
Keeping Kids Safe Smoke Detector Safety
Cooking Safety Have a Plan
For more information, visit the website of the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.
Keeping Kids Safe
FACT
- In 2002, children playing with fire started an estimated 13,900 structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments, causing an estimated 210 civilian deaths, 1,250 civilian injuries and $339 million in direct property damage/
TIPS TO STAY SAFE
- Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
- Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.
- If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.
- Teach young children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters, and teach school-age children to bring any matches or lighters to an adult.
- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.
Smoke Detector Safety
FACT
- A 2004 telephone survey found that 96% of U.S. households had at least one smoke alarm, yet in 2000-2004, no smoke alarms were present or none operated in almost half (46%) of the reported home fires.
- An estimated 890 lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms.
- 65% of reported home fire deaths in 2000-2004 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each seperate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
- Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- Test smoke alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
Cooking Safety
FACT
- In 2005, U.S. fire departments responded to 146,400 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment in 2005. These fires caused 480 civilian fire deaths, 4,690 civilian fire injuries and $876 million in direct property damage.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE
- Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, towels or curtains - away from your stovetop.
- Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
- Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.
- Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool.
- If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Have the oven serviced before you use it again.
Have a Plan
FACT
- Only one-fifth to one-fourth of households (23%) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE
- Draw a home escape plan and discuss it with everyone in your household.
- Practice the plan night and day with everyone in your home twice a year.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
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