Wednesday, October 16, 2002
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Wednesday, October 16, 2002 |
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Fayette firefighters spread fire prevention message By JOHN
MUNFORD
Firefighters from the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services are visiting local schools this week to educate students on a variety of fire safety measures with activities for Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters are placing an emphasis on having children call 911 for any and all emergencies, said Lt. Stephen Hood. "We also ask them to do some homework with their parents to make an escape plan at their home," Hood said. "We also want them to make sure their home has working smoke detectors." Statistics from the International Association of Fire Chiefs indicate that the smoke alarms nearly double a person's chance of surviving a home fire. Local residents are urged to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when the time changes Sunday, Oct. 27. National statistics from the IAFC show that approximately 20 percent of smoke alarms in American homes don't work, mostly because of dead or missing batteries. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, according to the IAFC. When developing escape plans, the National Fire Protection Association recommends two ways be found out of every room. Sometimes, that might involve using a window to escape. The NFPA also recommends designating a safe place to meet outside the home in case of a fire, and making sure to practice the escape plan twice a year. The association also highlights that special care should be taken with several home hazards that could lead to a fire, including the kitchen stove, candles, partially extinguished cigarettes, frayed electrical cords and flammable liquids such as gasoline or kerosene.
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