June 8th, 2007
A recent study in Public Health Reports reported that 95% of surveyed households had at least one installed smoke alarm.[1]
At virtually the same time, NFPA Journal reported the deaths of nine children and one adult in a fire–in a building with two installed smoke alarms.[2]
These two stories, one encouraging and one dismaying, show the danger of believing that if we just install a smoke alarm, our family is safe.
Here’s what went wrong in that tragic fire:
- There were no batteries in either of the two smoke alarms.
- Three of the adults in the home tried to douse the fire themselves before calling 9-1-1, delaying the fire department’s response.
Your smoke alarm can only alert you if it’s working.
- The same Public Health Reports study found that only 15% of households tested their alarms once a month.
- During visits to homes equipped with at least one installed smoke alarm, it was found that in 1 of every 5 homes, not a single alarm was working.[3]
- Non-working alarms are usually due to missing, disconnected or dead batteries.[4]
- (link to Is Your Smoke Alarm Working?)
A working smoke alarm can only protect you if you get out when it sounds.
- Don’t delay.
- Have an escape plan and practice it . Only 52% of homes reported having a fire escape plan. Even fewer, 16% of homes with such a plan, reported practicing it every six months, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Fire Protection Association.
Getting out only protects you if you stay out.
- As part of your home exit plan, have an outside meeting place. Don’t go back inside for anything.
- When the fire service arrives, tell them:
- If everyone is outside and at the meeting place.
- Anything you know about how the fire started and its location.
- About any pets that may still be inside (link to Get Out! Stay Out!).
[1] Ballesteros, Michael F., Kresnow, Marcie-jo, (2007). Prevalence of Residential Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Plans in the U.S.: Results from the Second Injury Control and Risk Survey (ICARIS-2). Public Health Reports, 122 (2): 224-31.
Posted in Injury Prevention, Smoke Alarms, Fire Safety | 1 Comment »
March 1st, 2007
Since the beginning of February, more than 60 people have died in home fires in 17 states. The International Association of Fire Chiefs is asking the media and others to inform people about how to protect themselves and their families from tragedy.
Whether you are in the fire service, a teacher, social worker or member of a community agency, or simply a concerned individual, you can help. Pass along these life-saving messages:
Check your smoke alarm monthly to make sure it is working. About 70% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm.
Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year or when the alarm begins to chirp, which means the battery is low. Consider installing alarms with 10-year batteries. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
Have an escape plan and a meeting place for your entire family. PRACTICE it.
When the alarm sounds, get out and STAY out. Many people who die in fires do so because they went back inside. Let firefighters know if pets are trapped inside your home.
If someone in your family has special needs, you can get information on ‘Fire safety for people with disabilities’ at www.nfpa.org.
Don’t use a stove to heat your home. If you use supplemental heating devices such as kerosene heaters, be sure you know how to use and maintain them safely. Don’t leave them unattended.
Don’t leave candles unattended, and keep them out of reach of children.
Posted in Fire Safety | 1 Comment »
February 23rd, 2007
It’s a tiny cell phone. It’s a bright blue felt-tip marker. It’s a Christmas ornament.
No, it’s a lighter.
All of these colorful, appealing items are in fact tools that should be used by adults only. But novelty lighters come in forms likely to attract children, and appear to be toys meant to be played with.
They often depict cartoon characters, vehicles such as miniature cars or motorcycles, toys such as footballs or skateboards, animals, food, beverages, or devices such as cell phones or microphones. Ironically, some are shaped like fire safety items such as fire hydrants or extinguishers!
The European Commission has banned the marketing of novelty lighters starting in March 2007.
In the United States, novelty lighters are subject to the same requirements for child-resistance adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Act in 1994. But no lighter is child-proof. So why market or buy a lighter that can so easily tempt and confuse a child?
What can be done about novelty lighters? First, don’t buy them. Second, parents and all adults should remember that child-resistance standards are not a substitute for supervision. All lighters as well as matches should be kept well out of sight and reach of children. Third, fire service can help to document the problem by gathering information about specific types of lighters involved in fire incidents. Finally, we can all continue to teach children that lighters and matches are adult tools only, and to ‘tell a grown-up’ if they find one.
Photos courtesy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal Office
Posted in Fire Safety | 2 Comments »