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The United States Fire Administration (UFSA)
reports on their website that in 2007, the majority of all fire
deaths occurred in the houses. That same year, deaths caused by
fire outnumbered the total number of deaths that resulted from natural
disasters. The risk of having a home fire increases during winter
months and seasonal celebrations. Nevertheless, these numbers are
staggering, especially when nine out of ten American homes reportedly
have at least one smoke detector. The problem is that up to two-thirds
of those detectors don’t work.
Why aren’t they working? Batteries may need
replacing in the device, but no one knows because the detector
hasn’t been tested. If the smoke alarm had gone off accidentally
in the kitchen due to some extra smoke when dinner was cooking,
someone might have disconnected the power and never turned it
back on. Simple enough excuses with potentially fatal repercussions.
No home is free from the risk of fire, doing our part helps us
and our families stay safe. Access to several types of resources
that provide free information about fire safety training are available
from fire prevention organizations, and you can find many of them
on the internet.
We can help protect our houses and loved ones
by having the right safety equipment in our homes, and by making
sure every family member is trained in fire safety. Equip your
home with working smoke alarms, and test them regularly. For added
protection, you might want to buy one that includes a carbon monoxide
detector.
We should make sure we have an escape plan in
the event of a house fire, and should practice regular drills.
Preschoolers may receive fire safety training at school, and this
can be reinforced at home if you put up fire safety posters around
the house to remind them how to act during an emergency.
No one wants to see their house burn to the ground.
If you take the time to learn about preventing fires at home,
your family and belongings will be more protected. If we all take
responsibility for our safety, there will come a time when the
national fire death statistics decrease.
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