Promoting safety
Area fire chiefs urge caution to residents as part of National Fire Prevention week
By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Friday, October 10, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
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| KATIE PIZZA | ARGUS OBSERVER
Ontario Fire & Rescue Chief Terry Mairs stands in front of a rural fire truck at the Ontario Fire & Rescue Department Thursday. Mairs said area fire department crews visited local schools this week to inform first-graders about the importance of fire prevention as part of National Fire Prevention Week. Mairs said one way residents can prevent household fires is to unplug appliances when they leave their homes. |
Ontario—As National Fire Prevention Week comes to a close, area fire departments urge residents to check their homes for potential fire dangers even as autumn arrives and temperatures cool.
“Home fire safety is the campaign this year,” Vale Fire and Ambulance Chief Todd Hesse said.
Hesse recommended residents check the vicinity around space heaters to ensure they are clear of fire hazards. The National Fire Prevention Agency recommends space heaters be kept at least three feet away from flammable materials. Weiser Fire Chief Scott Williamson also spoke about the dangers of heating elements, which see increased usage when the temperature drops.
“Make sure you’re getting your furnace checked,” he said.
Hesse also recommended that residents with wood stoves do not place ashes on porches, because of the potential for fire.
“Ashes can hold a spark for several weeks,” he said.
Williamson also said with the holidays coming up people should not use flammable decorations.
Hesse also recommended residents exercise caution with candles and lighters.
“Kids believe those are toys,” he said of novelty lighters.
Another important tip, Williamson said, is to keep an emergency kit handy.
Oregon Emergency Management recommends the kit contain extra clothing, outer-wear, personal hygiene items, extra sets of keys, medical supplies such as eyeglasses, dentures, prescription drugs and a first aid kit, special dietary supplements, baby supplies such as diapers and toys, a battery-powered radio and flashlight, driver’s license, identification and other important papers, checkbook, credit cards, and cash, sleeping bags and extra blankets, a list of relatives with addresses and telephone numbers, bottled water and snack foods.
Williamson also recommended keeping pet food in the kit. Hesse also spoke about the importance of escape plans.
“Make sure you spend some time talking to your family about escape plans,” he said.
The NFPA suggests parents with small children have them draw out the home’s floorplan, marking two exits from each room, including doors and windows.
The plan should also include marking smoke detector locations. The detectors should be checked monthly and the batteries should be replaced at least once a year.
“Now is a good time to check your smoke detector,” Hesse said.
The NFPA also recommends walking through the plan, ensuring everyone in the home knows what to do when fire strikes. This walkthrough should include making sure doors and windows open easily. NFPA also recommends picking out a safe meeting place, such as a neighbor’s house, light post, mailbox or stop sign, where everyone can meet up. The agency also recommends making sure house numbers are clearly visible from the road, which helps with fire crew response.
Both Williamson and Hesse said they see an increased number of fires as winter draws closer.
“We average about two of each,” Hesse said. “Two cases for space heaters and about two or three from flues or chimneys. The next most common is electrical.”
Williamson said he normally sees about five to eight electrical fires in the winter months.
“They’re running more appliances,” he said.
Williamson recommended area residents get their wiring checked and that frayed wires should be inspected by an electrician. He also cautioned about overloading receptors and circuits, asserting older homes may not currently be able to keep up with the electrical needs of today. The NFPA also recommends keeping dryer vents and filters clear of debris. Also, adults should supervise when children cook food on the stove, which should remain free of hanging curtains and other flammable materials, which causes around 12% of home fires.
In 2005, U.S. fire departments responded to 146,400 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment in 2005, according to the NFPA. These fires caused 480 civilian fire deaths, 4,690 civilian fire injuries and $876 million in direct property damage.
Williamson said residents should exercise caution in regards to fire safety.
“Be careful,” he said.
