According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2002, there were 389,000 reported home fires in the United States , resulting in 2,670 deaths, 13,650 injuries and $5.9 billion in direct property damage. Nationwide, there was a home fire death every 170 minutes. With these startling statistics in mind, here are some safety tips for you and your family:

SMOKE DETECTORS:

Smoke is responsible for three out of four deaths in the home.

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas.
• Test every detector at least once a month.
• Replace batteries at least once a year or sooner if the detector makes a chirping sound.
• Inexpensive smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired .

BE PREPARED: YOUR HOME ESCAPE PLAN IN CASE OF FIRE

As with other things, the best motto is, "Be Prepared."

• Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room.
• Sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of fire, it helps to hold back heat and smoke. But if a door feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window.
• Have planned escape routes from every room in the home.
• Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors where family members are to gather for a head count.
• Stay together away from the fire. Call 911 from another location. Make certain that no one goes back inside the burning building.
• Practiceyour Home Escape Plan with your family.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

They remain your best bet if you're on the spot when a fire begins.

• Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop.
• Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires.
• Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency.
• Remember, use an extinguisher on small fires only. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 from another location.

FURNACE/SPACE HEATERS

Used improperly, space heaters can be the most dangerous appliance in your home.

• Install and maintain heating equipment correctly. Have your furnace inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season.
• Don't leave space heaters operating when you're not in the room.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that might burn, including the wall.
• Don't use extension cords with electrical space heaters. The high amount of current they require could melt the cord and start a fire.
• When lighting a gas space heater, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.
• Never use a gas range as a substitute for a furnace or space heater .

KITCHEN

Careless cooking is the number one cause of residential fires. Never leave cooking unattended.

• It's wise to have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it 10 feet away from the stove on the exit side of the kitchen.
• Never pour water on a grease fire; turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door.
• Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back, and always watch young children in the kitchen.
• Don't store items on the stove top, as they could catch fire.
• Be sure your stove is not located under a window in which curtains are hanging.

CANDLES

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, home candle fires jumped 20% from 1998 to 1999 to hit their 20-year peak in 1999.  Two-fifths (40%) of the home candle fires started in the bedroom. Over the last decade, candle fires have almost tripled from the 5,460 reported in 1990.

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees, flammable decorations).
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that can't burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material.
• Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.

CHILDREN

One-fourth of all fire-deaths of children are from fires started by children.

• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
• Never leave children unattended with fire or space heaters.
• Keep flammable liquids stored away from children in approved safety containers outside the house and garage in a separate storage shed.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. A child should not sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Teach children STOP, DROP, and ROLL in case their clothing catches on fire.

For patch trading information contact Fire Inspector Gene Bishop

Proudly Serving:

The City of Cleveland, MS,
Delta State University
and
Bolivar County
Since 1920