(Madison County, NY – Oct. 4, 2015) The Madison County Volunteer Fireman’s Association wants to remind everyone that every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone. “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm” is the theme for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 to 10.
Oct. 7, 2012 – Fire prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people and left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 structures. The fires began October 8, but most of the damage happened Oct. 9, 1871. In 1920 President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation.
The National Fire Protection Agency was formed in 1896 by a group of insurance firms. The annual Fire Prevention Week is a national campaign for which NFPA has been the official sponsor since 1922. This year fire prevention week will be observed Oct. 4 to 10.
Over the past 90 years there have been many different themes that the NFPA has used to promote fire safety. One of the most important was EDITH exit-drills-in-the-house. Fire Departments throughout Madison County and around the nation are teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week to educate not only school children but also adults about the importance of having working smoke detectors in every bedroom.
According to NFPA statistics, half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur at night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when people are most likely to be sleeping. Having a working smoke alarm in the home cuts the risk of dying in a fire in half. These facts underscore the extreme importance of having working smoke alarms in all bedrooms.
In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.
Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.
Madison County Vol. Fireman’s Association recommends the following tips and firefighting equipment in the home:
*Carbon monoxide; Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
*Fire extinguishers; A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely.
*Home fire sprinklers; Properly installed and maintained automatic fire sprinkler systems help save lives. Because fire sprinkler systems react so quickly, they can dramatically reduce the heat, flames, and smoke produced in a fire.
*Smoke alarms; Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half.
The key message of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms.
And remember fire prevention should not be practiced just one week a year; everyone should be vigilant 24 hours a day 7 days a week 52 weeks a year.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in your area, or if you would like to become a volunteer firefighter please contact your local fire department or chief.
For more information, contact Mel Thurston, Madison County Vol. Fireman’s Association Inc. at
(315) 762-8624, or melthurston@yahoo.com.