Fred Allenbaugh
The Cedar County fire departments and the Cedar County Red Cross Disaster Action Team are prepared to respond to crises and would like to remind residents that fire prevention is everyone's responsibility.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of about 329,000 home structure fires occur each year, causing thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in property damage. A home fire is reported every 96 seconds and accounts for roughly 75% of all civilian fire deaths.
Although cooking is the leading cause of home fires and kitchen-related fire injuries, with fall upon us and winter approaching, residents are encouraged to prepare their homes and check heating systems to ensure they are functioning properly. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should also be properly positioned and have fresh batteries.
Follow these tips and checklists to help prevent a home fire:
- Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed.
- Place smoke alarms on all floors and in sleeping areas, and test them monthly.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
- Do not overload electrical outlets.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
- Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip.
- Place heaters on flat, hard and nonflammable surfaces, not on rugs, carpet or furniture.
- Look for safety features on heaters, know how to use them correctly and purchase models with automatic shutoffs.
- Ensure proper ventilation when using combustible-fuel stoves.
- Clean and inspect chimneys and flues annually for creosote buildup and damage.
- Use a sturdy screen with wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
- Store and dispose of ashes safely in a metal container away from the house and other combustible materials.
Fire prevention and knowing what to do in the event of a home fire can save lives.
