Fire Prevention Month Reminds Alaskans To Keep Their Homes Safe from Fire

Every year in Alaska we see the tragic results of fires in cities, as well as the villages. Nationwide, home fires killed more than 3,000 people in 2005. Fortunately, many home fires are preventable. Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13 this year and the theme is “Practice Your Escape Plan.” That’s because even though most families have a fire escape plan, a majority admit they haven’t practiced it. Fire Prevention Week is a great time to practice that escape plan and to take some extra steps to prevent a fire in the home.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires. In fact, three in ten reported home fires start in the kitchen – more than any other place in the home. Two-thirds of these fires start with the range or stove.

Kitchen Safety Tips

› Always use cooking equipment tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.

› Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food in the oven.

› Keep the cooking area clean and clear of combustibles (like potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

› Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove. Keep pets from underfoot while cooking and off of cooking surfaces and nearby countertops.

› Wear short sleeves or close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.

› Never use a wet oven mitt; it could scald you as the moisture in the mitt is heated.

› Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy when cooking. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, protect your hand with the oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don’t remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen.

› If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing.

› If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Call the fire department and make sure you have the appliance serviced before you use it again.

› Prevent steam burns from microwave cooking by carefully removing lids or other coverings.

Take steps to prevent fires in your home and community by heeding these tips:

Home Safety Tips

› Keep space heaters three feet from anything that can burn.

› Ask smokers to smoke outside.

› Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.

› Inspect electrical cords and replace or repair loose or frayed cords. Don’t overload sockets.

› Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.

› Prepare and practice a home fire escape plan. The plan should provide two escape routes from each room.

› Install smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors and test them monthly. Replace batteries regularly.

› If you must escape through smoke, remember to get low and go.

For more information on preventing fire including how to create a home fire escape plan, visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org