In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Month to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
It’s easy for piles of paper, stacks of boxes, and other combustibles to build up near heat sources, causing a fire hazard. A floor littered with clothes, toys, and other clutter can block escape routes as well, making evacuation more difficult in an emergency.
Clearing your clutter is a fire-wise investment. Boxes stacked to the ceiling packed full of stuff not only adds to a feeling of claustrophobia, but it adds fuel to any fire.
Clutter also presents a fire hazard issue if it blocks doors and windows that could otherwise be used to exit the home. You should have access to a clear door in the event of a fire.
How to Avoid Injury:
To avoid injury in a fire, it is essential to take preventative measures and know what to do in an emergency.
Some steps to take to prevent injury include:
- Regularly inspecting electrical equipment to ensure it is in good working condition
- Keeping combustible materials away from heat sources
- Ensuring fire exits are clear and accessible
- Testing smoke detectors and sprinkler systems regularly
- Properly storing flammable liquids in approved containers in designated storage areas
- Having a fire escape plan and practicing it with family or colleagues
Keeping the exterior of your home free from clutter and debris as well as the inside helps firefighters safely do their job to keep you safe and save your home. Please do your part in keeping around your home cleared to lessen the difficulty of fighting fires.
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