With the temperature taking a downward turn, here at The Spotlight we’re turning our thoughts to fires.
Not comforting, cozy fires, unfortunately. No, we’re thinking about Fire Prevention Week, which kicks off on Oct. 9 and serves as a reminder about what we can all do to protect our families and ourselves.
Careful as you might be at home, the sad truth is that any household can fall victim to a fire. And not nearly enough of them are prepared for that eventuality, according to the National Fire Prevention Association, which runs Fire Prevention Week every year.
What is most tragic is that so many fire-related deaths are unnecessary. While some readers may feel patronized to hear the same fire safety advice over and over again, it evidently bears repeating.
The number of fire-related deaths actually rose in 2010 over the previous year, the first time the number has jumped since 2007. And while the number of home fire deaths per annum has been roughly halved since 1977, when the NFPA began surveying fire departments, the number of deaths per 1,000 fires has barely lowered at all.
So while there are fewer fires and fewer deaths, the proportion of people succumbing to house fires is about seven per 1,000 fires, or just one less than it was more than three decades ago.
These and other fascinating facts are contained in an annual report recently released by the NFPA.
“With home fire deaths still accounting for 2,640 fire deaths … fire safety initiatives targeted at the home remain the key to any reductions in the overall fire death toll,” the report reads.
The message is quite clear. Despite the vigilance and efforts of our fire departments, which through advances in technology and best practices are ever improving their performance, it’s still true that the most important safety measures are taken in the home.
With the approaching switch off of daylight savings time, we would advise readers to adopt the practice of testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they reset their clocks — and sticking to this routine in the future.
And if you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, a friendly reminder: It’s the law. “Amanda’s Law” went into effect last year, and requires every residential property to have one installed. That includes apartments and other multi-family housing.
One final statistic from the NFPA: Less than one-quarter of American families have an escape plan ready and practiced. Especially for families with youngsters, this simple preparation could be a true life saver.
So this Fire Prevention Week, take just a few minutes and sit down with your family to take stock of just where you stand on fire preparedness. A few moments and a few dollars now could save much more if disaster strikes.
Fire departments all over the area are recognizing the week with various events, as well. Check with your local fire department to see if there’s anything happening in your area.
