Fire Safety

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined. Every year more than 5,000 people die in fires, over 25,000 are injured, and direct property loss is estimated at over $9 billion. Fortunately, most fire losses can be prevented through effective public education and awareness initiatives.

Many Americans believe "fires can only happen to other people - not to me and not in my home." Yet, over 80 percent of fire deaths occur in the home, most often claiming the lives of the young, the elderly and the disadvantaged.

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And be sure to follow these fire safety tips for you home:

Smoke Alarms

• Have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home and outside bedrooms.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries at least once every year.
• Consider buying a lithium battery powered smoke alarm, which may last up to ten years with no battery change.
• Install smoke alarms away from air vents.
• Install smoke alarms away from air vents.
• Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or walls, at least 4 inches from corners.
• When affixed to walls, smoke alarms should be between 4 and 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Never disable or remove smoke alarm batteries.

Escape Planning

• Develop a fire escape plan with your household and practice often.
• Know two ways to exit from every room in your home.
• Make sure safety bars on windows can be opened from inside your home.
• Crawl low, under smoke.
• Feel closed doors. If hot, use another exit.
• Identify a place to meet household members outside. Never re-enter a burning building.
• Escape first and then call for emergency assistance.

Fire Safety Walk Through

• Keep clothes, blankets, curtains and other combustibles at least three feet from space heaters.
• Place space heaters where they will not tip over easily.
• Have chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a professional.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, flammable and decorative materials.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces and leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
• Keep clothes, towels and other combustibles away from stove burners.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Be sure your stove and small appliances are off before going to bed.
• Check for frayed wires and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• Never overload electrical sockets.
• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
• Never leave cigarettes unattended.
• Never smoke in bed.

The Merriam Fire Department and the USFA are committed to reducing the number of fire deaths and injuries to those high-risk groups and the general public by increasing public awareness about the dangers of fire. To promote fire safety awareness and prevention in the home and in the workplace, the USFA has developed a variety of materials aimed at reducing the loss of life and property due to fire in the United States. Included is the Fire Stops with You factsheet series, which provides a wide range of fire safety information to help communicate fire safety and prevention messages. These factsheets address the special fire safety needs of many groups. Fire safety topics, such as security bar safety, bedroom fire prevention, and home electrical fire prevention are also addressed. The Fire Stops with You factsheet series can be found on the USFA's website, http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/sheets.htm.

For more information about Fire Prevention and fire safety, contact the Merriam Fire Department at (913) 322-5530.