Mayport FD Gives Tips to Prevent Home Fires

Cooking is still the leading cause of home fires, including injuries; followed by heating and electrical equipment.

Leading cause of home fire deaths is attributed to smoking materials and heating equipment.

U.S. Fire Departments responded to approx 400,000 home fires and approx 2,580 people lost their lives in 2006. Additionally, 12,500 fire related injuries resulting from home fires were reported as well.

65 percent of reported home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no "working" smoke alarms.

Winter months (namely December and January) are "peak months" for home fires and deaths.

Naval Station Mayport Fire and Emergency Services Department wants you to remember that fire safety should be practiced every day and offers the following suggestions:

Install and maintain Smoke Detectors on every level and bedroom of your home. Detectors that are not operating properly should be replaced and the batteries replaced at least twice a year (Remember - when you change your clocks - change the batteries).

Practice Home Fire Drills - Sit down with your family and develop a Home Fire Escape Plan and practice it with your whole family - practice both a "Day" drill and a "Night" drill.

COOKING SAFETY TIPS:

Pay attention to your cooking - turn the stove off when you leave the kitchen, even if it is just for a 'short' time.

Use a timer when simmering, boiling, baking or roasting meals and stay in the kitchen area while cooking is taking place.

Do not let children, or pets, near cooking area - 3 foot minimum clearances from the stove is recommended and use the back burners whenever possible.

Wear tight fitting clothing while cooking.

Let food cooked in a microwave oven cool for approx 1 minute before removing from the oven, and make sure to use oven mitts as the container will be very hot.

Keep cooking area clean and free of clutter.

SMOKING SAFETY TIPS:

Designate a smoking area outside of the home and provide deep sturdy ashtrays.

Keep smoking materials away from any and all combustible materials.

HEATING TIPS:

Maintain a three-foot clearance around space heaters from all materials that can easily burn (i.e., curtains, bedding, clothing, etc.)

Turn heaters off when going to bed or you leave the room and have them inspected and serviced by a professional every year before operating.

If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected before each heating season. Make sure to have and use a "fireplace screen"

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS:

Repair or replace loose or frayed electrical equipment cords and avoid overloading electrical receptacles. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) electrical outlets are required in bathrooms, outdoor areas, kitchens, basements and garages.

Install Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI) to protect electrical outlets. AFCI's protect against fire by continuously monitoring the electrical current in a circuit and shutting off the circuit when unintended arcing occurs. This needs to be installed by a professional electrician.

The following actives are scheduled to help promote this years Fire Prevention Week (Feel free to contact the Fire Prevention Office at 270-7440 if you have any questions concerning the schedule):

Oct. 5-11, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Fire Department "Open House" tours

Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m. - "Kickoff" Fire Prevention Week at Bldg 1960, Off-Base Child Development Center (and Debut of "Sparky Pumper" radio controlled robot).

10:45 a.m. - Engine Company to visit Bldg 373, On-Base Child Development Center

Oct. 7, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Base-wide "unannounced" Fire Drills.

Oct. 8, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Fire Safety Presentation at Youth Activity Center w/ Sparky Pumper.

Oct. 9, 9-10 a.m., NAVAIR 80-R-14 Annual Flight Line Fire Extinguisher Training (150 lb Halon Flight Line extinguishers) - HSL Wash Rack (near Bldg 1607 - Crash Fire Station)

Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-noon, Family Home Care Provider "Home Evacuation Drills"