Almost 150 years ago, one of the most devastating disasters in our country’s history occurred. On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began, and this tragedy killed over 250 people and left approximately 100,000 people without their homes as the fire destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned over 2,000 acres of land. In 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) began sponsoringFire Prevention Weekduring the week of October 9th to commemorate this horrific fire, and three years later President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed this week as a national observance. As our country’s longest-running public health observance, Fire Prevention Week is a time for all Americans to learn fire safety rules from firefighters and other fire safety professionals as an effort to reduce the number of casualties caused by fires. The campaign for this year is “Look, Listen, Learn. Be Aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” and All American Chimney Service would like to tell you more about the three basic and essential steps you should take to prevent a fire and how to safely escape in case one does occur.
LOOK
One of the most important preventive steps you should take to keep your family safe from a fire is to look around your home for fire hazards and take the necessary steps to fix the problems that are causing the hazards. Possible fire hazards, according to NFPA, include furniture placed too close to heaters, too many electrical plugs inserted into one outlet, not turning off small appliances like irons when finished using them, and leaving burning candles unattended. You should also always be careful to never lay a fabric potholder on top of a hot stove burner when you are cooking in the kitchen.
LISTEN
The life of your family is so precious, and to be as safe as possible against an accidental fire in your home, All American Chimney Service strongly recommends installing smoke and carbon monoxide detector alarms throughout your home. Make sure everyone in your family knows what this alarm sounds like and exactly what to do when they hear it, which should be to make their way outside as quickly as possible to your family’s meeting spot, which should be in front of your home at a safe distance. Once everyone has made it to the meeting place, contact fire emergency services. Stay outside until emergency personnel tell you it is safe to enter your home again.
LEARN
In order to get outside safely if a fire were to break out inside your home, you should learn at least two ways to exit each and every room. The NFPA provides examples of possible exits, and our professional experts at All American Chimney Service can help you find ways out of each room when we sweep and inspect your chimney during your annual professional maintenance appointment. Once you have gotten two exits from every room, it is a good idea to have fire drills with your family every so often to practice getting everyone out safely.
As the provider of superior professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services to the Louisville area, All American Chimney Service places a top priority on our clients’ safety.Contact ustoday to learn more about Fire Prevention Week.