DU QUOIN -- Next week (Oct. 6-12) marks Fire Prevention Week and the Du Quoin Fire Department wants to make the public aware of home fire escape planning and practice.
"This year's campaign works to celebrate people of all ages who learn about home fire escape planning and practice, bring that information home, and spur their families to action," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). "From young students who learn about the campaign at school to parents who attend a community event like a fire station open house -- all of them truly are heroes because they're taking steps to make their households much, much safer from fire.
"Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!" also focuses on what a home escape plan entails and the value of practicing it," Carli said. "These messages are more important than ever, particularly because today's homes burn faster than ever."
Carli notes that synthetic fibers used in modern home furnishings, along with the fact that newer homes tend to be built with more open spaces and unprotected lightweight construction, are contributing factors to the increased burn rate. A home escape plan includes working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) that's a safe distance from the home. Home escape plans should be practiced twice a year by all members of the household.
Smoke alarms save lives," said Du Quoin Captain Adam Hill. "If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half!"
When it comes to smoke alarms, Hill said, it's about "location, location, location" 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.
Hill advises local residents to take the following precautions:
• Have a home fire escape plan, this includes having two ways out of every room. Practice escaping from every room in your home. Practice escape plans every month. Designate a safe meeting location away from home. Immediately leave your home when a fire occurs. Never open doors that are hot to the touch. Once you are out stay out!
• Smoke detectors. Working smoke detectors in your home it is the law! Change you batteries when you change your clock. Replace your
detectors after ten years of service according to manufacturers recommendations.
A new law has recently went into effect for all homeowners to have a sealed ten year battery smoke detector in your home by 2023. This new law combined with the existing law states you must have a working smoke detector on every level of your home and within 15 feet of your sleeping area. Homes that have hard wired or Bluetooth detector are exempt from the change.
• Carbon Monoxide. Is a colorless odorless tasteless gas that is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, fainting and at higher levels it can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you have gas appliances or attached garage in your home, it is a state law that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Follow the manufactures instructions on where to place the unit in your home.
If you suspect CO exposure or your CO detector goes off. Get out of the house and get to fresh air. Call the fire department or call 911 from a neighbor's house. If you have symptoms seek medical help immediately.
• Fire safety in the kitchen. Always stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on what you are cooking. Don't wear loose fitting clothing that could catch fire. Watch children closely in the kitchen and around hot surfaces. Turn pot and pan handles inward to prevent food spills and burns.
If you have a cooking fire always call your fire department first. Slide a pan lid over the flames of a grease or oil fire and turn off heating source. Never try to carry the pan outside this could spread the fire. Extinguish other food fires with baking soda never use flour. In the event of an oven or broiler fire keep the door shut and turn off heat to smother the fire.
Services we offer
• Fire extinguisher classes for businesses and different organizations in the community.
• Home fire safety inspections.
• Help in installing smoke detectors.
• Preplanning your business to better serve the fire department in the event of a fire to help minimize the damage.
• Fire safety talks to groups and organizations.
For questions call the DuQuoin Fire Department 618-542-5600.
