Candle Fire Safety

With the holidays fast approaching and the increased usage of seasonal decorations, it is important to focus on candle fire safety and prevention. Each year, candles cause an estimated 17,400 home structure fires, resulting in 180 deaths and 1,575 injuries. Because the majority of candle fires result from human error and negligence, candle fires and their associated casualties are preventable.

• If possible, avoid using lighted candles.

• If you must use candles, ensure that they are placed in sturdy holders.

• Keep candles away from children and pets.

• Be sure to extinguish candles after each use.

• Never leave burning candles unattended.

By following a few candle safety tips, everyone can enjoy a safer and happier holiday season.
Data source: 2001-2005 NFPA 5-year average of candle fire estimates.

U.S. Fire Administration

For information and resources on this subject visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

As part of the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" annual home fire safety campaign, your local fire departments, urge you to adopt a simple, potentially life saving habit: Change the batteries in your smoke alarms when you change your clocks ahead to daylight saving time this November 1st.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

• Each day, an average of three children die in home fires - 1,100 children each year. About 3,600 children are injured in house fires each year. 90 percent of child fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

• Although smoke alarms are in 92 percent of American homes, nearly one-third don't work because of old or missing batteries.

• The hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. are the peak alarm times for home fire deaths – when people tend to be asleep and the house is likely to be dark.

• About 65 percent of home-fire deaths result from fires in homes without working smoke alarms or the smoke alarms that are present are not working

• Only 23 percent of U.S. families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely. Developing a family emergency escape plan can be crucial to everyone's safety.

• Smoke alarms don't last forever. They should be replaced at least every 10 years.

• A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

• The "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" campaign encourages you to arm yourself against home fires by taking some basic home fire safety precautions, including installing fresh batteries in smoke alarms.

Here's NFPA's Sharon Gamache discusses, in the following YouTube video, the latest information on types of smoke alarms you need, their placement and special features. Working smoke alarms give you early warning to help you escape a fire.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Safety Tips for a Fun Halloween

Paying attention to a few safety tips during Halloween activities can be the difference between a night of fun and a night of tragedy.

Remembering simple safety tips can go a long way in keeping kids safe.

Decorations were the first item ignited in an estimated average of more than 1,000 home structure fires per year during 2002-2005, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report Home Structure Fires that Began with Decorations (PDF, 80 KB). More than half of these fires were started by candles.

“There are many things that parents, kids, and adults can do to make sure that Halloween remains a very safe holiday,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “Make sure costumes purchased are labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant, choose materials that will not easily ignite, and keep fire safety in mind when decorating your home, both inside and out.”

Halloween is a fun and memorable experience for children and their parents. Ensure that costumes are flame-resistant or flame-retardant, and keep safety in mind when using decoration in the home.

Fire safety concerns are often unique at haunted houses and other spooky venues typically visited during this time of year.

“It is important to know how to get out of a room or a building in case of emergency no matter where you are, and to teach kids to do the same,” said Carli. “A haunted house is a unique venue and with other things competing for your attention, it may take a little extra effort to identify exits and plan your escape; however, if there is an actual emergency or the ghosts and goblins simply get too scary, you’ll be glad you did!”

Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.

Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.

Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire. If children are attending a Halloween party at another home, have them look for exits and know how they would exit in an emergency.

Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes could brush against the lighting.

NFPA has been a leader in providing fire, electrical, building and life-safety information to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. Visit NFPA’s Web site at http://www.nfpa.org/ .

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Fire Prevention: Proper Escape Plan Becomes Essential

The fire prevention saying of “Play it safe, Plan your escape” has a lot of meaning for everyone’s daily routine. It’s usually during the month of October that schools and places of work hold yearly fire evacuation drills.

Usually we walk into a building the way we leave, through the main entrance. “No big deal,” most will say, “we do this when entering any building, even our homes.”

What if, and it has happened, this path of travel through the main entrance is blocked because of a fire? What do you do then?

A proper plan of escape now becomes essential. Preplanning maximizes a safe escape and is part of everyone’s daily fire prevention duties.

It only takes a moment to do a quick survey, upon entering a building, and plan an escape. Knowing two exits out of a building requires nothing more than a glance around. You can also try getting in the habit of taking an exit other than the normal entry.

A facility may have the maximum occupancy allowed. If something should happen, most people will head for the main entrance automatically. This action could result in injury or loss of life in a fire situation. Everyone should be aware of an alternate exit out.

In our homes we all have a feeling of security that nothing bad will happen. Seventy percent or so of fatal fires in homes occur between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.. This fact makes it even more important to have a home escape plan. Exit Drills in the Home, otherwise known as E.D.T.H. plan is a good way to begin.

Have a diagram or floor plan of your home showing locations of all doors and windows. Each family member should know two routes out, from every room. Bedroom doors should always be kept close at night to keep fire away if one should start. In a fire situation, check doors by touching the upper part first. If it’s hot do not open in. Exit out another door to the outside or a window. If the home is a multi-story building, open a window and wait for the fire department’s assistance. It’s a good idea to have smoke detectors installed on every level of the home. Test them monthly and change the batteries each year.

If a fire occurs, all family members should leave the home quickly, closing doors behind them to help confine smoke and fire. Do not stop to take possessions along. Report the fire immediately.

No one should ever go back into the house that’s on fire. People die or are injured because fire intensify and can get worse in a matter of seconds. Have a pre-arrange meeting place outside the home.

Your local fire department can answer questions concerning the establishing a fire escape plan.

Learn Not to Burn, Be fire Safe.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)