 |
| Fire Corps advises homeowners to test their smoke alarms as part of Home Safety Month |
The campaign's theme this year is "Hands on Home Safety," which asks the public to take some simple, hands-on steps to create a safer home environment from the five leading causes of home injury - falls, poisonings, fires and burns, choking or suffocation, and drowning.
Each week this month, Fire Corps is sending out home safety tips that Fire Corps teams can use to educate their communities. Disseminate these tips to your contacts and community members. You can also find the tips online at www.firecorps.org/prevention. For more information on Home Safety Month, including additional resources, visit the Home Safety Council website at: www.homesafetycouncil.org.
Week One: Fire Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, residential fires accounted for nearly 3,000 deaths and over 14,000 injuries in 2007, and firefighters responded to a home fire every 79 seconds. Simple steps can be taken throughout the home to reduce the risk of fire and injury/loss of life:
- Working smoke alarms should be found in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to ensure they are working properly and the batteries are good.
- Be sure fire extinguishers are available on every level of the home and that each household member knows how to use them.
- Reduce the risk of fire outside of the home by removing dying or dead trees and shrubs and by keeping dry brush and debris at least 30 feet away from the home. Keep gutters, roof, and eaves clear of debris.
- Be sure any candles in the home are placed away from curtains and other furniture, as well as out of reach of children and pets. Consider using safer alternatives such as flameless candles.
Fire Corps programs can assist communities in taking preventative measures to avoid home fires. Fire Corps teams routinely educate their communities about home safety practices, and home safety checks are conducted by many programs across the country to reduce the risk of fire or injury.
