Tips Not Tricks

October is just around the corner and many of us associate it with falling leaves, pumpkins and Halloween. However, in the shadow of the commercial hype of costumes, candy, ghosts and goblins, is an annual occurrence dedicated to raising awareness and providing education on a very important issue, Fire Prevention.

October 6th - 12th 2013, is National Fire Prevention Week and fire departments all throughout Orange County, as they do every year, will be actively engaged in fire safety education.  They will be hosting open houses, going to local schools, disseminating information, conducting demonstrations and participating in activities to re-enforce some of the essentials of fire safety. 

Knowing how to prevent fires and what to do if there is one, is crucial for keeping you and your family safe.  Below are just a few basic but important tips to get you started.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Check and test all your alarms once a week.  Make sure you replace weak or dead batteries.  Change the batteries twice a year.  A helpful reminder is to replace them when you change your clocks ahead to and back from daylight savings time.

Portable Fire Extinguishers - Select a multi-purpose extinguisher that can be used for all types of home fires.  Use when the fire is contained to a small area such as a waste basket and not spreading.  Make sure everyone has exited the building, the fire department has been called and the room is not filled with smoke.

Candles - Though candles are romantic and soothing, they can easily ignite anything that can burn.  Make sure candles are securely placed in their holders and keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can ignite.  Blow out candles when you leave a room or go to sleep.  Never leave burning candles unattended and never use candles if oxygen is used in the home.

Clothes Dryers - A fire can start if there is lint build up on the lint screen or the dryer vent. Make sure the lint screen is cleaned before doing each dryer load and the dryer vent to outside is clear and not obstructed with lint accumulation.

Furnaces - Make sure to have your furnace professionally serviced twice a year to insure safe and efficient operation.

Chimneys - If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have your chimney cleaned regularly by a professional.  Residue that has built up inside the chimney can catch fire and possibly spread to adjoining walls.   

Plan Your Escape - Your ability to escape from a house fire depends on early warning from smoke detectors and having an escape plan. Fire can spread quickly and you may only have two minutes to escape once the alarm sounds.  Everyone in the household should know the escape plan and family fire drills should be practiced. Walk through your home and locate all possible escape routes.  Map two ways out of every room in the house and establish an outside meeting place, a safe distance away from the home.  Most important, once you’re out, stay out!  Do not go back in! 

For more detailed information, statistics, programs and literature on fire prevention and safety, you can go the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) website here. To know where and when activities will occur in your area during Fire Prevention Week, contact your local fire department.

Because Orange County fire departments are mostly all volunteer, they are always in need of new members.  If you have the time and desire to make a difference in your community, VOLUNTEER!!