Fire prevention week kicks off Oct. 4

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Champion
  • 366th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  It's time again time for Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct 4 through 10, and the Mountain Home Air Force Base fire department has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association to remind Gunfighters to "Stay Fire Smart, Don't Get Burned."

Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on ways to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns. Below are some simple steps firefighters and safety advocates are emphasizing to help prevent devastating burns.

The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Pay attention and stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. When leaving the room - even for a short time - turn off the stove.

Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking on the stovetop. Establish a three foot "child-free zone" around the stove and keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled down or knocked over. Be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, oven, irons, lamps and heaters.

If someone gets burned, treat it right away. Put the burned areas in cool water for three to five minutes and cover with a clean, dry cloth. Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry and metal from the burned areas. If the burn is bigger than a fist or if you have any questions, get medical help right away. Dial 911 from a DSN line and 828-0911 or 828-1117 from a cell phone or base housing.

Fire safety basics
· Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button to make sure everyone can hear the alarms.
· Replace store-bought smoke alarms every 10 years.
· Have a home fire escape plan and practice it twice a year.
· Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and have a set meeting place outside.
· When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
· If building or remodeling a home, consider installing a home fire sprinkler system.

The history of Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on Oct. 8, but was most destructive on Oct. 9, 1871. In1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which Oct. 9 falls.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record with fire departments across the country observing the week for 87 years in a row.

Sparky and base firefighters will visit the base schools and child care centers throughout the week. Sparky and fire department personnel will also be at the base exchange during lunch hours on Oct. 9 to distribute free, prevention-related materials.