Fire Prevention Month

Oct 21, 2019 | Safety

October is Fire Prevention Month. We have previously discussed work-site fire safety in a June safety message. Please use the information and guidance provided in this message to help ensure you & family are safe at home. 

Please see the FREAS SharePoint page under Safety for more information on this topic and a list of all the Weekly Safety Messages issued this past year.

 

Extended Safety Message:

  • The goal of Fire Prevention Month is to raise awareness about fire safety and help ensure your home and family is prepared in the event of an emergency.
  • In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
  • We now celebrate Fire Prevention Month by raising fire safety awareness and educating our employees, families, students and our communities.
  • The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 2019 campaign for Fire Prevention Month is “Not Every Hero Wears A Cape.” The theme is that firefighters are heroes too.
  • Improve your home’s safety by testing the alarms regularly and adding more reliable protection when replacing expired alarms.
  • 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.
  • Just 43% of homeowners have a family escape plan.
  • Less than 50% of homeowners have a formal escape plan.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental death in the home.
  • Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home.
  • 60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly as recommended by NFPA.
  • Fire Prevention Month is the perfect time talk with your whole family about fire safety – include testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarm for improved protection, and escape planning.
  • Having functioning alarms installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for fire prevention.
  • They work around the clock to give your family an early alert in the event of an emergency, allowing you time to safely escape.
  • Smoke and CO alarms should be placed on every level of the home, including the basement, as well as inside and outside each bedroom. Especially in the kitchen.
  • Don’t forget a fire extinguisher on each level.  One in the kitchen, and one in the garage.