From the Firehouse to Your House

Your home should be a safe haven. If you do not regularly check for home fire hazards, there is the potential for danger. This year’s theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Do the Drill.” From October 3-9, fire safety advocates will be out spreading the word that, with a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires is within your control. The major sources are cooking, heating, electrical and smoking- materials-related fires. Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic October 8-9, 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people and destroyed more than 17,400 structures.

Survivors of the Chicago fire never forgot that they’d been through a blaze that produced countless tales of bravery and heroism. But the fires also changed the way firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925. Jacksonville firefighters along with thousands of firefighters across North America are visiting schools and other sites in the community to teach the basics of fire safety and prevention. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922.

In the event of a home fire, having operational smoke alarms cuts your chances of dying nearly in half. They should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. They should be tested once a month, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Batteries need to be replaced once a year or as soon as the alarm “chirps,” indicating that the battery is low. Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years, even those that are hard- wired and ones with “long-life” (10-year) batteries. A fire can spread through your home rapidly. In fact, you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. In addition to maintaining smoke alarms, it’s vital that families develop a basic home fire escape plan so they know what to do when a smoke alarm sounds.

It is important to remember that fire safety starts in the home and can greatly lessen the possibility of injury and property damage. Let us help you keep your home fire safe. Call the Jacksonville Fire Department at 541-899-7246 to get more information or schedule an appointment for a home smoke detector check.