Bad things can happen to good people

Bruce Ford

Fire safety plans can keep you from becoming a statistic

It’s human nature to think bad things only happen to “the other guy,” but the fact is that bad things can happen to good people. Everyone thinks they’ll never have a fire, but the figures tell a different story. In fact, the chances are that you will experience at least one home fire in your lifetime – a fire serious enough to call the fire department.

Each year more than 3,600 Americans die in fires – the worst fire record in the modern, industrialized world. About two-thirds of these fire-related deaths happen at home, and many of them during the night while victims sleep.

Those statistics are sobering and Cannon Fire & Emergency Services wants Airmen to know they can help protect themselves and their loved ones from fire.

Make sure everyone in the family understands the dangers of fire and treats all possible hazards carefully. Matches, lighters and other hazardous substances such as charcoal lighter fluid and gasoline are for adults.

Young children should be taught that if they find these materials, they should immediately give them to an adult. These materials should be kept in high cabinets, out of a child’s sight and reach.

Limit the use of extension cords. Although not a replacement for a wall outlet, surge protectors should be used whenever an extension cord is needed. Make sure the cord can carry the power load it is being used with and disconnect the cord when it is not needed.

Turn off appliances at the end of the day – this includes computers, radios and televisions.

Develop a home fire escape plan. Let your children help draw a floor plan of your home with you and then identify two ways to escape from each room such as a door or window.

Establish a meeting place such as the neighbor’s front door or the mailbox to account for everyone. Once all this is written down, practice the plan monthly. A good time to do this is when testing home and office smoke detectors. This will familiarize everyone with the sound of the detector and serve as the signal to take escape actions.

Test smoke detectors once monthly. If the detector has batteries, replace them every six months. Remember the saying, “Change your clocks, change your batteries.”

Many fires start in the kitchen, usually due to inattention or distraction. Stovetop cooking is a serious activity and requires full attention. Don’t put something on the stove and leave to watch television. Keep dish towels, pot holders and decorations at least a foot away from the stovetop. Even though they may not be on the burner, radiated heat can cause them to ignite. Keep an oversized pot lid available. Should a fire occur in the cooking pot, place the lid over the pot, turn off the heat, and don’t remove the lid for at least 15 minutes.

Finally, avoid clutter in the home. Keep walkways clear and unobstructed because no one should have to go through a maze to escape a fire.

Portable heaters should be placed so all combustible items are at least three inches away and children should not play in the vicinity. Never store combustibles near hot water heaters or in a furnace room.

Fire safety is not difficult. It only requires awareness and common sense to keep families and homes safe from fire. Taking preventive measures can keep a family from becoming a fire statistic.