Did you know Fire Prevention Week is coming up October 6th-12th? (Actually, the entire month of October is Fire Prevention Month.)
Cy-Fair Fire Department wants to do as much training as possible in our community. Our mission centers on education, prevention, and safety. We have amazing people who really know their stuff. In fact, our 550-plus men and women are among the best trained and equipped firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and dispatchers in the nation.
Below, we have selected 6 topics we feel are most helpful in educating the public around prevention. Let us know if any of these interest you. (You can also do a series of segments highlighting awareness and essential fire safety tips during the month of October.)
We will send Cy-Fair’s best and brightest to do the interviews and demonstrations.
Please let me know if you’d like to interview anyone from the Cy Fair Fire Dept on any or all of these topics. They will also willing to submit an article on any of these topics.
Cy-Fair Fire Department TV Segment Ideas
Sound the Alarm: Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
Every home needs working smoke alarms. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), over half of home fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that didn’t work. We want to make sure our community’s homes are safe and protected. We’ll share tips on the correct use and management of smoke alarms, including:
- How to install them. Where should they go?
- What types of smoke alarms are best?
- How often should they be tested?
- When do they need to be replaced?
- How to test the smoke alarms at least once a month.
Extinguish the Risk: Fire Extinguisher Know-How
Fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out or containing small fires, but many people don’t know how or when to use them. Of course, the number one priority in the event of a fire should be for everyone to get out safely, but fire extinguishers can be an important element of a fire response plan. We’ll share fire extinguisher information, including:
- How to select an extinguisher. What kind do I need? Where do I buy it?
- When using a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS.
- Where should the fire extinguisher be installed?
- In what situations should a fire extinguisher be used? In what situations should they not?
- Proper fire extinguisher maintenance and replacement
Your Family’s Exit Strategy: How to Create a Home Fire Escape Plan
If a fire breaks out in your home, your family may only have a minute or two to escape. That’s why we stress the importance of making a plan on what to do and where to go if there is a fire. We’ll provide information on how to plan out and practice an escape plan including:
- Make it a family affair! Gather everyone in your household. Walk through your home and check all exits and escape routes.
- Draw a map of your home, including windows and doors.
- Choose an outside meeting place. Make sure it’s a safe distance from the home.
- Don’t forget smoke alarms. Make sure they’re installed and working properly.
- Practice your plan at least two times a year.
Power Smart: Keep Your Lithium-Ion Batteries Safe
Smart phones, tablets, e-bikes…lithium-ion batteries supply power to many of our devices. As the number of items that use these batteries has increased, so has the number of fires associated with them. We’ll share tips on buying, charging, storing, and using lithium-ion batteries to help prevent fires, including:
- Purchase devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep batteries at room temperature, as much as possible.
- Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.
- Only use the battery designed for your device. Only use the charging cord that came with the device.
- Unplug your device from the charger once it is fully charged.
Sizzle Safely: Cooking Safety Tips for Every Home
Cooking brings friends and family together and can be a relaxing and creative outlet for some of us. But you might be surprised to know that cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and injuries. We’ll share a few safety tips to help prevent these fires, including:
- Pay attention. Don’t leave the kitchen unattended while you are using the stove or stovetop.
- Keep flammable materials away from your stovetop, like towels or oven mitts.
- Use a timer to remind you to check your food.
- Wear close-fitting sleeves.
- How to smother the flames if you have a small grease fire.
That’s a Fire Hazard? Commonly Overlooked Household Dangers
Most people are aware of “obvious” causes of fires, like candles and cooking accidents. But there are numerous ways a fire can start—and while many people aren’t aware of all the possibilities, we’ve seen them all! We’ll share some under-the-radar fire hazards community members should know about, including:
- Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
- Improper storage or use of chemicals (including pool chemicals)
- Space heaters
- Overloaded outlets
- Fire pits (as we head into Fall)