October is Fire Prevention Month as a reminder of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire devastated the city, and as an attempt to avoid such a disaster again, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first National Fire Prevention Day in 1922. We talked to Gary Borman, the former Fire Chief of the Beaver Township Fire Department, about what is happening locally, as well as his tips for fire safety.

Also, both Beaver Township and Canfield will be utilizing their Smoke Trailers. These trailers have a kitchen and 2 bedrooms and are used to simulate the experience of escaping a fire. After being taught safety tips to avoid a fire in the home, the simulation begins. The children have to use the fire safety plan they established before the exercise to exit safely and meet at the assigned meeting spot. Firefighters will even hold certain children back to remind them to count heads and make sure everyone is present. Finally, the Fire Departments have teachers dress with all of their gear so the kids can see a familiar adult with the “Darth Vader effect” of the oxygen mask, as Chief Borman puts it. The goal is to make children understand the dangers of fire as well as making them comfortable enough to call 911 and trust their local firefighters if there is an emergency.

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to find out more about fire safety. Here are some tips from Chief Borman to stay safe this fall.

Have an Escape Plan

A house fire can happen to anyone, and it can spread quickly. It is important to have an escape route in case of a fire. Make sure there are two possible exits from every room. Include fire escape ladders in second story rooms. Determine a meeting place outside of your home a safe distance away. Teach your kids the escape plan as well as emergency contact information. Make sure your children know that if there is a fire, they might need to break a window to escape, and that is okay in that situation. Having a practiced escape plan will make the situation less chaotic and calmer if a fire should occur.

Check Smoke Alarms

Chief Borman recommends that smoke alarms are checked monthly. If there are not smoke alarms on each floor and in each bedroom, it is important to install them. Smoke detectors in bedrooms should be near the door so they can detect smoke coming from other rooms more quickly. A great habit to get into is to always change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks. Additionally, a security system that is monitored by a central station (like the fire department and police station) is a great way to insure a fast response to an emergency situation, and could save you money on your insurance premiums.

Common Household Practices

There are certain things we all do without thinking about that could easily cause a fire. Kitchen fires are very common, so always be attentive when cooking. Never leave the stove unattended if it is in use. If there is a fire in a pot or pan, put the lid on it instead of pouring water on the flame. If you use candles in your home, make sure to extinguish the flame before you leave the house. Keep matches and lighters out of reach for children. If you use portable heaters as the weather gets colder, make sure they are not near flammable materials or left unattended.

Outdoor Tips

Clean your gutters and roof of debris build-up. Pine needles and leaves are the most common items to get caught there. Also, with the changing seasons it is tempting to dispose of all the leaves in your backyard by burning them. Chief Borman says to learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area. Do not illegally burn leaves or other debris.

There are many ways to prepare for a fire as well as prevent one. Here are some websites dedicated to fire prevention that can help you figure out a good plan of action for you and your family:

Scholastic
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Fire Protection Association
Sparky the Fire Dog
DLTK
U.S. Fire Administration

Do you have smoke detectors, fire extinguishers or a monitored security system installed in your home? Call us and let us know to see if you qualify for a discount.

Call us at (330) 533-3301 or email us.