An Ounce of Fire Prevention
In 1735, Benjamin Franklin penned an anonymous letter to the Pennsylvania Gazette, admonishing Philadelphia to increase its awareness of the importance of fire prevention. He further expounded on this notion by suggesting chimney sweeps be required to have a city license and that amateur firefighters be replaced by a professional organization dedicated solely to fighting fires. His letter began with the now-famous axiom “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and ushered the city of brotherly love into an age where it soon became one of the safest cities in the world when it came to fire prevention.
Now, 280 years later, Benjamin Franklin’s famous words are still as relevant as ever. In the United State alone, an estimated more than 3,500 people die each year in fires, while more than 18,000 are injured. A majority of these incidents occur within the home. October is Fire Safety Month, so do a little work to make sure you and your family don’t fall prey to statistics. Instead, arm yourself with a plan to ensure your home, its contents and, most importantly, your family are kept safe. Here are some practical ways you and yours can prevent house fires.
Fire drills. At school and work fire drills may be a routine practice, but families often neglect having a game plan in the event of a home fire. Devise an escape plan that covers every room of the house and revisit it each year, ensuring there are helpers assigned to the youngest family members. At least one window in each room should be accessible as a quick escape. Likewise, think beyond the front and back doors as the only exits. In the event of a fire, caution each member to crawl to the nearest exit, because 12 to 24 inches above the floor is where air is clearest. Carefully touch doors before opening them (never open a hot door!) and determine a safe place for everyone to meet outside. Never try to fight a fire yourself. Instead, leave immediately and only call for help after you are to safety.
Fire safety. Little children are innately curious about fires and find matches and lighters mystifying. A sad consequence is that more than 52 percent of children that die in fires are 5 and under. Teach your children that fire is meant to be used as a tool, not as a toy, and keep lighters and matches far from reach (preferably locked inside a cabinet).
Fire extinguishers. Each home should have a minimum of two fire extinguishers (one in the kitchen and the other near the furnace). Make sure they are dry-chemical, multipurpose extinguishers and made for A, B and C fires. Ensure everyone in the family knows how to operate them. And remember: Home fire extinguishers typically operate for a mere five to 10 seconds, so be sure to aim!
Smoke detectors. Install smoke detectors high on each bedroom wall and in the kitchen. Test them at the beginning of each month (simply use the test button) and replace batteries annually regardless of whether they’ve run down completely. Only take batteries out when replacing them and keep the detector’s grill dirt- and dust-free at all times. If your house operates its detectors electrically, also install a battery-operated one as a backup in the event of a power outage.
Proper maintenance. Simple measures can prevent major catastrophes. Have mechanical systems within your house properly serviced throughout their lifetime to ensure they are working both properly and efficiently. Flues, fireplaces and woodstoves should be inspected and cleaned before first use each fall, and HVAC units have optimum performance and longer lifetimes when serviced annually as well.
Who turned off the lights? Hot outlets, flickering lights and a frequently tripped breaker usually mean one thing: There’s a problem within the electrical system. If you know how to correct the problem yourself, make sure to install only recommended fuses that are the correct size for the wire. A ground monitor will help you discover where the shorts are in the electrical system. If you lack experience working with electricity, hire a licensed professional and don’t try to remedy the situation yourself.
Don’t leave home without it (being off, that is). Never leave home while a dryer or a secondary heat source (such as a space heater, wood stove, fireplace or kerosene heater) is running. Stay in the kitchen when broiling, frying or grilling (and turn the stove off even if you leave the room for a minute).
Fire prevention is especially important to Olathe mom Lauren Greenlee, whose own mother and brother suffered severe burn injuries as children.