Fire Prevention Week

The history of Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, but lasted 27 hours and incurred the most damage the following day. As a result, October 9, 1871, is the date most often connected with the tragic conflagration. In the end, the Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2000 acres. While the origin of the fire has never been determined, there has been much speculation over how it began. One popular legend was that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary's barn on fire and starting the spectacular blaze.

On the Great Chicago Fire's 40th anniversary, the former Fire Marshals Association of North America (now the International Fire Marshals Association, or IFMA) sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, advocating an annual observance as a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday-through-Saturday period in which October 9th falls. In addition, the President of the United States has signed a proclamation pronouncing a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

Dedicated to raising public awareness about the dangers of fire and how to prevent it, the National Fire Prevention Association, or NFPA has officially sponsored Fire Prevention Week since the observance was first established. The current theme, "Cover the Bases & Strike Out Fire" teaches people how to inspect their homes for fire hazards, so that they can prevent three of the leading causes of home fires - cooking, heating, and electrical. These causes combined are responsible for nearly half of all home fires and one-third of associated home fire deaths each year in the United States. It also encourages the public to develop and practice a home fire escape plan, which includes testing and maintenance of smoke alarms.

"Cover the Bases & Strike Out Fire" cleverly communicates these safety messages through the language of baseball by placing cooking on first base, heating at second base, electrical at third base, and home fire escape planning and practice at home plate. Children and their families are encouraged to cover these bases of home fire safety so that they can "strike out" the risk of many home fires and be much safer.

FIRST BASE - KITCHEN SAFETY

According to the NFPA: On average, there are 91,700 reported home fires each year associated with cooking equipment, killing 327 people and injuring 4,607. Cooking fires are the number-one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires. Three in every ten reported home fires start in the kitchen, more than any other place in the home.

Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as potholders, towels, rags, drapes, and food packaging. Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the stove. Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped and children can't grab them. Wear short, close fitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire. Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated. Food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings from micro waved food carefully to prevent steam burns. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire. Dial 911 and request the Fire Department. If a fire starts in the over, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to and prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Dial 911 and request the Fire Department. If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave. Dial 911 and request the Fire Department.

SECOND BASE - HEATING SAFETY According to the NFPA: On average, there are 59, 100 reported home fires each year associated with heating equipment, killing 468 people and injuring 1,592. Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires. During the months of December, January, and February, heating is the leading cause of home fires. Most heating fires involve space heaters, not central furnaces. Installing space heaters too close to combustibles or placing combustibles too close to them are major causes of space heater fires.

Space heaters need space. Space heaters should be at least three feet away from walls, furniture, and anything that can burn including people and pets. Have chimneys and heating systems inspected at least once a year by trained professionals. Portable heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to sleep. The use of portable kerosene heaters are prohibited in all occupancies except one and two family dwellings pursuant to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. However, although these heaters are permitted in one and two family dwellings, the Chatham Borough Bureau of Fire Safety does not recommend them and strongly discourages their use because of the dangers associated with their use. Have a sturdy metal screen on your fireplace. A metal screen or built-in glass doors will keep sparks from flying into the room. Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of young children. Never leave lit candles burning unattended.

THIRD BASE - ELECTRICAL SAFETY According to the NFPA: On average, there are 38,400 home fires per year associated with wiring, switches, outlets, cords and plugs, fuse and circuit breaker boxes, and other equipment involved in distributing electricity around the home. These electrical service equipment fires kill 352 people and injure l,343 annually. Fixed wiring causes one-third of home electrical distribution fires. Cords and plugs cause one-sixth of home electrical distribution fires and one-third of related deaths. Each year, electrical shock not resulting in a fire causes hundreds of burn deaths and thousands of burn deaths and thousands of burn injuries. Nearly two-thirds of electrical burn injuries among children age 12 and under are associated with household electrical cords and extension cords.

Replace or repair any electrical device with a loose or frayed cord. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. In homes with small children, receptacle outlets should have plastic safety covers. Only one high wattage appliance should be plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time. Avoid the use of "adapters or cube taps" that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle. In the kitchen, push back cords for countertop appliances to keep young children from pulling them off the counter. Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn. Use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.

HOME PLATE - FIRE ESCAPE PLANNING AND PRACTICE According to the NFPA: In the United States, a home fire is reported roughly every 85 seconds and someone is killed in a home fire every three hours. Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning device available. Having a smoke alarm in your home cuts your chance of dying in fire nearly in half.

Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and in or near all sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be tested a least once a month and batteries replaced once a year or sooner if the alarm "chirps" warning that the battery is low. Every household should develop and practice a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older.