Protect your family from fire

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The Van Wert Fire Department has again teamed up this year with the National Fire Protection Association during October 9-15 to let the community know that it is Fire Prevention Week.   As always, the focus of this week is to prevent home fires, a message consistently echoed for the past 80 years.  Despite the best efforts of Americas’ fire service, home fires remain the most devastating and most frequent type of fires seen.  This year the slogan is “Protect your Family from Fire” This can be done by using technology and planning.

Smoke alarms are an important technology and part of any home escape plan, as this device will activate and warn the occupants of the fire.  Unfortunately, there are still many homes without smoke detectors or that have smoke detectors that do not have a functional battery – rendering them technologically useless.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home, including the basement.  Van Wert Fire Chief, Jim Steele recommends a smoke alarm in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.  The chief also reminds owners to perform regular checks on a monthly basis and when you change your clocks, install a fresh battery.

The Van Wert Fire Department receives a variety of calls on what type of smoke detector to purchase for the home.  There are two basic types of smoke detector technologies – ionization and photoelectric.  An ionization detector is generally more responsive to flaming fires, like a pan fire or the smoke from cooking.  A photoelectric alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires like a cigarette or overheated wiring.  There are smoke detectors made now that contain both technologies in one detector.

In home fires, minutes make a difference between getting out of the structure and not getting out at all.  Preparation is an important part of being able to deal with a fire Chief Steele says it is crucial you take steps to prepare your family for the potential of a home fire by having an escape plan and practicing it.  It should include a predetermined outside meeting place that is a safe distance in front of your home.  Steele adds, “Once you are outside, stay outside.  Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building.”

Practice the drill at least twice a year, and be realistic.  In a smoke filled home, stay low and crawl under the smoke.  Our department will have been in all the City schools demonstrating this very technique using our fire safety trailer to all third graders in the school system.

Other techniques to consider for your home fire prevention:  Stay in the kitchen when cooking with oils, maintain a three foot clear distance around any heating equipment, Smoke outside and use an ashtray, Blow out all candles when you leave a room, and repair or replace damaged or loose electrical cords.

Should you have any additional questions on these topics,  contact the Van Wert Fire Department at 419-238-4918.