Fire Prevention Week kicks off Oct. 5 to 11

  • Published
  • By Mr. Merle McCreary
  • Grand Forks Air Force Base Fire Inspector
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A pot holder too close to a lit burner or a space heater left on overnight could be all it takes to start a home fire. In fact, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association.

That's why the Grand Forks AFB fire department is teaming up with NFPA from Oct. 5 to 11 to urge base residents to "Prevent Home Fires" during Fire Prevention Week. This year's campaign focuses on preventing all the leading causes of home fires - cooking, heating and electrical equipment, and smoking materials. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

According the latest research from NFPA, more than 2,500 people died and 12,500 were injured in home fires in the United States in 2006. Fire departments responded to 396,000 home fires, which accounted for 80 percent of civilian deaths and 76 percent of injuries that year.

While the number of home fires is daunting, the good news is that many are easily preventable when residents take simple steps to increase their safety from fire. Whether it's smoking outside the home, keeping space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, or staying in the kitchen when you are using the stovetop, there are easy things families can do to safe from fire.
Reviewing the following information and taking action can help you prevent home fires during Fire Prevention Week and year-round.

- Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
- Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
- Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside. Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

For more information, visit www.firepreventionweek.org. Below is the calendar of events for Fire Prevention Week.

Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008
1 to 5 p.m.-Base Housing
Gift Bags will be distributed to all Residents
Monday, Oct. 6, 2008
6 to 8 a.m. - Main Gate
Sparky will distribute brochures with
9 to 11 a.m. - Base Dormitories
Handouts will be distributed to all occupants
1 to 5 p.m. - Work Centers
Information and gifts will be distributed
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008
6 to 8 a.m. - Fitness Center
Display booth
9 to 10 a.m. - Child Development Center
Sparky and fire vehicle
10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. - Escape Zone
Sparky and fire vehicle
3 to 7 p.m. - Commissary
Display booth, extinguisher trainer,
E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills In The Home )House
Wednesday 08 October 2008
8: 30 to 10 a.m. - Family Child Care Homes
Sparky and fire vehicle
9:45 to 10:15 a.m. - Eielson School Head Start
10 to 10:30 a.m. - Library
Sparky and fire vehicle
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Dining Hall
Display booth
1:30 to 2 p.m. - Eielson School Head Start
3 to 5:30 p.m. - Youth Center
Hose stream house, extinguisher training
E.D.I.T.H. House, "hunt for hazards room"
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Base Exchange
Display booth, extinguisher trainer,
E.D.I.T.H. House
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Eielson School
E.D.I.T.H. House, Sparky
9 a.m. - Building 409
Extinguisher training