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This is Fire Prevention Week
Although most people think they are safest in their own homes, homes are actually where we are at greatest risk of fire death. The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that 3,145 people died in home fires in 2003. More than 80 percent of fatal fires occur in the home. Firefighters work hard to help people understand home fire dangers, especially during Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, 2006, "Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heat!" This important annual educational event has been sponsored by NFPA for more than 80 years. It's the one time when the fire service all across the United States and Canada join forces to make community fire safety education a top priority. And while October is known for fire safety in schools and workplaces and fire stations, autumn also signals the beginning of the heating season here in the Thomasville area. According to NFPA, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the months of December, January and February. The organization estimates that roughly 55,000 home heating equipment fires occurred in the latest year the organization studied. Our area fire departments want to keep us safe and hold down the number of heating-related fires this season. But they need your help.
Here's what you can do:
* Keep things that burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. * Use fireplaces, woodstoves, heaters and furnaces properly and carefully, with good maintenance. * Get furnaces and chimneys inspected once a year and cleaned or repaired if needed. * Closely watch children and pets in rooms with heating equipment, and keep them safely away. * Turn off portable space heaters when you get ready to sleep or if you leave the room.
Who can prevent heating fires? You can. NFPA's data show that most home heating equipment fires involve portable or fixed space heaters (including associated chimneys), because they require more attention. Central heating furnaces are usually installed by builders; space heaters are more likely to be installed or placed by occupants and here's where caution should be observed. Fire Prevention Week is a good time to check out your home's heating equipment because it comes just before the start of the heating season. Get your chimney inspected and the furnace tuned up. Make sure you have a fireplace screen. If you're buying new heating equipment, always select products listed by an independent testing laboratory. Choose a qualified installer and follow all codes and manufacturers' instructions. And save the user's guide that comes with the heating equipment, so you can keep it properly maintained in the future. Our area fire departments are joining forces with NFPA and thousands of other fire departments across North America to commemorate Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, "Prevent Cooking Fires - Watch What You Heat." -Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. If you must leave the the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. -When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. -Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging). -Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of three feet (1 meter) around the stove. -If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department. -Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner and slide the pan off the burner. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.
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