Fire Prevention Week

Published Sept. 24, 2008

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- October 5 - 11 has been designated as National Fire Prevention Week. Your friends at Grissom ARB remind you to take a few moments and check your home and workplace for potential fire hazards.

Listed below are some fire safety topics courtesy of the Grissom ARB Fire Department.

Smoke Detectors
When a fire breaks out, seconds can literally be the difference between life and death.
Statistics recently released revealed that during 2006 more than 3,200 individuals lost their lives as a result of a fire, a total that includes 87 firefighters. Fires also resulted in 16,400 civilian injuries nationwide.

In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best and least expensive safety features you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family and your home.

Ionization smoke detectors are considered more sensitive to fast-burning and flaming fires such as kitchen fires. Photoelectric smoke detectors usually respond more quickly to slow-burning, smoldering fires, such as those resulting from electrical short circuits or cigarettes that are accidentally dropped onto couch or mattress.

Effective July 1, 2008 Indiana property owners and a tenants share the responsibility for a working smoke detector in a business or a residence. State law now requires that all dwellings not only have a working smoke detector but that the property owner and tenant sign a confirmation agreement that states both parties are aware of the location of those detectors and that the tenant is aware of their responsibility to maintain their use.
Suggestions

Smoke alarm manufacturers suggest all homes and apartments be equipped with both photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors (or dual technology smoke detectors) to provide the maximum protection and greatest escape time during a fire. Clean dust from your detectors by using a vacuum cleaner.

If your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years and batteries should be checked twice a year to make sure they are working. Simply replace the batteries at least once a year.

Space Heaters
Heating unit and portable space heater(s) cause two out of three fires in the home and all are caused by improper use. Space heater shall meet all current product safety requirements and approved by a reputable safety testing organization. Heater must be equipped with tip over protection.

Plug space heater directly into a wall electrical outlet. Never connect a space heater to an extension cord or power strip. Space heater shall have a minimum clearance of 18 inches from anything that can burn. The heater will be unplugged when the work area is left unattended and at the end of each workday. Timers and thermostats have failed in the past; don't rely on the heater to turn off when you're not there to monitor it.

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Fire Prevention Week

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