National Fire Prevention Week: 'Prevent Kitchen Fires”

The 2013 National Fire Protection Association’s theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Prevent Kitchen Fires.”

Fire Prevention Week is recognized October 6th thru 12th, 2013; however, due to inclement weather many exterior activities were rescheduled.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the fire prevention campaign since 1922, spreading awareness of the dangers of fires and inspiring individuals to prevent the deaths, injuries, and destruction that fires cause. This year’s theme continues to focus on the importance of fire escape planning and practice as well as preventing kitchen fires.

Fires in the home take a great toll on life and property each year. NFPA has previously estimated that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 373,900 reported home structure fires per year. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Smoking materials remain the leading cause of home fire deaths, while cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.

Installing systems such as smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers, as well as identifying potential hazards, can reduce the risk of home fires and property loss, injury, or death due to fire. Nearly two-thirds of home structure fire deaths occur in homes where there was no smoke alarms, or where smoke alarms were present but failed to operate.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company offers an educational and recreational fire prevention program for the students at the Long Neck Elementary School during the entire fire prevention week. These activities include various fire prevention awareness techniques, tour of the fire house, tour of the Delaware State Fire School – Georgetown Campus, and actively participates in simulated fire suppression tactics, simulated 9-1-1 telephone calls; and grade level specific fire prevention awareness measures.

Additional fire safety tips include to check out for kids and families! NFSA provides the following fire safety tips for families:

•   Make an escape plan

•  Install smoke detectors in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and check the batteries often

•  Install fire sprinklers throughout your house

•  Once you’re out, stay out! Do not re-enter a burning building

•  Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year.

And these tips for kids:

1.   Never touch matches, candles or lighters. Make sure you tell an adult immediately if you see matches or a lighter in a room.

2.   Don’t cook alone.

3.   Remind your parents to turn pot handles toward the center of the stove.

4.   Never stick anything in an electric socket.

5.   Never hang anything on a lamp, heater, or radiator.

6.   Always let an adult know if there is any kind of smoke or fire in your house.

7.   If there is a fire, get out fast.

8.   Once you are out of the house, call 9-1-1 immediately.

9.   In case of fire, develop an escape plan with your parents. Plan for two possible escape routes out of your house. Practice your escape plan with your parents several times a year.

10. Stay low to the floor when escaping a fire, as smoke rises and makes it difficult to see.

Illustrated herewith are various photographs of initiatives utilized by the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.