National Fire Prevention Week October 7-13th 2018. Look. Listen. Learn.

10/4/2018 (Permalink)

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has announced that the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is "Look. Listen. Learn. Be Aware - Fire Can Happen Anywhere.”

The campaign identifies three basic and essential steps we can take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire–and how to be prepared in the event there is one.

“LOOK” for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home and business. Identify potential fire hazards and see what you can do to reduce or eliminate them. 

“LISTEN” for the sound of the smoke alarm. You may only have minutes to safely escape once a smoke alarm sounds. 

“LEARN” two ways out of every room. Make sure all the doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter providing quick and easy access to get out. 

Other Suggestions Include:

Home Fire Escape Plan

Home fire escape planning and drills are an essential part of fire safety. A home fire escape plan needs to be developed and practiced before a fire strikes. This plan should include:

• Two exits from every room in the house – usually a door and a window
• Properly installed and functioning smoke alarms
• A meeting place outside, in front of the home, where everyone will meet after they exit
• A call to 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone

Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms detect and alert people to a fire in the early stages. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half
• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month, using the test button.
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Cooking

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home.
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove top.

Heating

• Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months.
• Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
• All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from heating equipment.
• Have a 3-foot (1-meter) ‘Kid-free zone’ around open fires and space heaters.
• Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, fun activities educating kids, events and videos, visit the National Fire Protection Association website: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week-2.

ABOUT SERVPRO of The East End

When fire strikes, you can trust SERVPRO of The East End to restore your property to 'Like it never even happened.' Our team of IICRC trained and certified professionals are available 24/7 365 days a week to be 'Faster to any size disaster'. We will treat your property, family and employees with the utmost of compassion, respect and consideration, and work quickly and efficiently to minimize damage and cost. We have been proudly serving our community in mitigating fire, mold, storm and water damage on the East End of Long Island for over 40 years. 

Call SERVPRO of The East End at 631-653-9595 for all of your fire, mold, storm and water damage needs.