It's fire prevention week - prevent home fires Published Sept. 29, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Hillary A. Stonemetz 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Many people may not realize that leaving the kitchen while food is cooking on the stove or leaving a space heater on all night could be all it takes to start a deadly home fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States. In an effort to raise fire safety awareness, fire departments nationwide observe fire prevention week during October. This year, fire prevention week is Oct. 5 - 11. More than 2,500 people have died and 12,500 people injured in home fires in the United States in 2006, according to the NFPA. "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 awareness," said Offutt Fire Chief Robin Gullie. "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 you can do to keep your home and family safe from fire." Once a fire starts, it's important to immediately evacuate the home then call the fire department, said assistant fire chief for fire prevention Santiago Olmeda-Pinero Jr., 55th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Fire can grow and spread through the home very quickly," he said "It's important that families are prepared to react as soon as a smoke alarm sounds." One way to prepare is to develop and practice fire escape plans, he said. "Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan," said Mr. Olmeda. "Draw a floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of each room, including windows and don't forget to mark the location of each smoke alarm." "Also, agree on an outside meeting place where everyone can meet after they've escaped," he said. "Remember to get out first, and then call for help. Never go back inside until the fire department gives the okay." In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the main Offutt fire station will host tours for area school children from Oct. 6 to 10. Offutt firefighters will also visit area schools. The week will culminate with the fourth annual fire station open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 11. The open house will feature fun and activities such as a bouncy castle, fire extinguisher training, escape plans, smoke alarm information, a fire safety house and fire truck displays. Do you know how to keep your home safe from fires? Here are some tips. Cooking with Care · 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. · Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags - away from your stovetop. · Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire. · Always keep an oven mitt and lid handy. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on the oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool. Everyday Electrical Safety · Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as lamp shades, bedding, curtains and clothing. · Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords. · Use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician. · Homes with young children should have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles. · Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights or a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance. Healthy Heating · Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. · Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. · Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment. · Turn portable space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room. · An oven should not be used to heat a home. Strike Out Smoking-materials Fires · If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes if they are available in your area. · If you smoke, smoke outside. · Wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays. · Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used. · Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children. Candle with Caution · Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. · Use sturdy, safe candleholders. · Never leave a burning candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave a room. · Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas. · Use flashlights for emergency lighting. Safety 101 · Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. · Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. · Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. · Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms. · Have a home fire escape plan. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside. Practice your escape plan twice a year. · When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. · If you are building or remodeling your home, consider a residential fire sprinkler system. (Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week Web site, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2008 NFPA.)