The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Top tips to prevent house fires
U.S. fire departments respond to a house blaze every 86 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
In Wickliffe, officials were called to 10 home fires, and most if not all were preventable.
“That’s why we believe one of the greatest services we can offer our community is teaching them how and why fires start and safe practices and ways to prevent a fire in their home,”
Wickliffe Fire Marshal Capt. Douglas Leovic said. “Though it’s difficult to predict the type of fire that may occur in your home, there are some simple safety tips you can follow to reduce the risk of fire to better protect your family. With more than 300,000 residential fires a year, working smoke alarms are a key factor in surviving a fire, but safe practices in the home are the first line of defense in preventing a fire from ever starting.”
The leading cause of house fires is unattended cooking, especially frying.
“Never leave cooking unattended,” Leovic said. “If you leave the kitchen, turn off the burner. Keep things that burn away from your cooking area. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped. Don’t wear loose clothing that could come in contact with an ignition source. If wearing long sleeves, roll them up.”
The other leading causes of house fires are heating equipment, followed by electrical and lighting equipment, arson and then smoking materials, Leovic added.
The fire marshal advises having all heating, cooling and water appliances inspected annually. In addition, chimneys should be checked and cleaned by a chimney sweep at least once a year.
“Do not leave portable heaters unattended or operating while sleeping,” Leovic said. “Keep things that can burn at least three feet from any type of heating device. Do not use any electrical cord that is stiff or cracked. The insulation on electrical cords can become damaged by wear, flexing or age. Keep combustibles away from light bulbs. Use the correct wattage bulb for the fixture.
“Be sure to regularly clean clothes dryer lint filters and vent pipes. Don’t allow your home to be cluttered with clothes, magazines, newspapers and other items that can burn.”
Leovic also wants to remind people to never leave candles unattended or lit while sleeping, never smoke in bed and use an ashtray when smoking.
Jerry Craddock, public education specialist with Mentor Fire Department, said although officials educate children on fire safety starting in preschool, parents need to reinforce the life-saving themes at home.
“Families really need to start having conversations about what to do if the home starts filling with smoke in the middle of the night,” said Craddock. “Sit in the bedroom with your children and test the smoke detector.
“Have the children/family members physically plan and walk or crawl through two ways to get out of the home quickly to a planned meeting spot outside.”
Leovic agreed that having an escape plan is a must at all homes. He advised practicing escape plans with both a primary and secondary way out at least twice a year.
“Be sure windows used for escape open easily and are not blocked by furniture or nailed or painted shut,” he said.