By admin Published October 17, 2019

The weather is getting colder, we can feel it in the air, and we know that the snow is about to start falling. It’s that time of the year where we are stocking up on wood for the stove, bringing out the space heaters, and cooking warm meals on the range.

This is also the time of year that we need to remember that the risk of fire danger in our homes is significantly higher. According to USFA, from 2013-2015, an average of 45,900 home heating fires occurred in the US each year, which caused an annual average of approximately 205 deaths, 725 injuries and $506 million in property loss.

So what can you do to lower your risk this winter?

• Always cover your fireplace with a screen
• Have your furnace, chimney, and smoke alarms checked
• Be aware of where your space heater is, do not keep it next to flammables
• Always remember to unplug your space heater when you are not using it
• Keep all hot pot and pan handles turned away from the edge so that kids do not pull them down
• Don’t use your oven as a way to heat your home

While these tips will help to eliminate your risk for a home fire, it’s important that you also have an escape route set in place just in case something happens. Make sure that everyone in the home knows and understands the plan and has multiple, safe options for getting out of the house.

Fire Prevention Month

October is known as Fire Prevention month, but do you know why? It is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. During the month of October, we educate the public on fire education in an effort to decrease the potential for casualties caused by fires.

The purpose of fire prevention month is to educate the public to take precautions to prevent harmful fires, and to educate on surviving them. There are many small, but important actions that you can take to stay safe including planning and practicing an escape route. Did you know, in a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely? (NFPA)

Plan your escape

• Plan your route
• Test your smoke alarms
• Choose a meeting place
• Set a regular reminder
• Practice a home fire drill

Even if you think your risk of a home fire is low, it doesn’t hurt to be aware and practice these tips so you can jump into action if the situation arises. Teaching your kids important safety tips and ensuring that they are prepared in case of a fire can be the difference between life and death.

Carbondale Fire Open House

We want to thank everyone who came out to our annual open house on October 12th! It was great to have the opportunity to spend time with you all, eat some great food, and check out what the Classic Air Medical does for us. We have the best community and we enjoy being able to spend the day with you!