Listen Live

Photo Credit: Getty Images. PHILIPPE HUGUEN / Staff

 

A house fire occurs every 88 seconds in the US according to NFPA which is why we are talking fire safety in the home this week. October is National Fire Prevention Month and since we are towards the end of the month we thought we’d give you some friendly reminders on fire safety 101.

 

How to Be Prepared

 

If you do nothing else, please check your smoke detectors  and carbon monoxide alarms around the house. 65{bffd5afc92e71b4f5f13a397a060cceafb69d69a76b9485615fd77bd8b5e4a55} of fires occur in homes with non-working smoke detectors. Make sure there is one in every bedroom in addition to around the house. To make sure they are working test them once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.

 

Putting a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and/or garage can also really help preparation. They are good for typically 5-7 years. You can always check if your extinguisher is good by seeing if the needle is in the green area on the gauge.

 

If you have any pets inside the home we suggest getting a pet alert window cling. You can place this on your front window with how many pets you have so responders can be sure they get them out. Also try to keep collars on your pets if you are out of the house so they can be identified.

 

A big one for many families; making a fire safety plan. A simple conversation with your kids about the basics of fire safety could be life saving. Make sure everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of a fire. 

    • Stay low to the ground where the air is cleaner.

    • Place the back of your hand to any doors to see if they are hot. Explain what to do if it is. 

    • If clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll.

    • Don’t be afraid of firefighters. It’s already a scary situation, so make sure your children aren’t afraid of the people trying to help them.

    • Lastly, once they are outside, stay outside! Discuss a meeting area outside where everyone can come together once they are safe.

 

Prevention Reminders

 

  • Don’t leave any open flame unattended.

  •  Unplug portable space heaters when not using.

  • Check your home’s electrical wiring.

  • Get covers for electrical outlets.

  • Don’t overload any outlet.

  • Take care of any damaged wires you may find.

 

Of course there is plenty other safety tips, but we hope these will give you the reminder you need to check if your home is prepared for fire safety.