Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored an important public fire safety campaign, Fire Prevention Week, on the week of every October 9th. Originally this week began as a commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but as it became clear how important it was to educate the public on how to prevent a fire in their homes, this campaign was proclaimed in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge to be observed across the country. For over 25 years, All Seasons Chimney has been teaching the residents of the lower Hudson Valley area how to keep fires from occurring in their homes as part of our professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” and we would like to tell you more about this theme.
LOOK
In order to successfully avoid a devastating fire in your home, the NFPA stresses the importance of looking for places where fires could start and making sure that there are no potential fire hazards present. Since cooking causes almost half of all home fires, you should make sure that there is no clutter around the stovetop. Always remember to keep an eye on what you are cooking. Your heating and your electrical equipment in your home are also common causes of accidental fires. All Seasons Chimney can give you more tips and recommendations for keeping your home free of fire hazards.
LISTEN
As the first alert to a fire being present in your home, smoke alarms can reduce your risk of dying in a residential fire by 50 percent. The NFPA recommends that you install smoke alarms on every level of your home as well as inside each bedroom. To make sure your alarms are working effectively, you should test them every month and replace any alarms that are over 10 years old. All Seasons Chimney suggests interconnecting your smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all do.
LEARN
Since you may only have seconds to escape a fire in your home, it is crucial to plan at least two ways out of every single room. Once you have established your two exit routes, you will need to teach them to your family and practice these exits often. Choose a place outside your house where your family can meet once they have gotten out. From this spot, you will be able to safely call your local emergency authorities.
If you need more information about Fire Prevention Week, contact us at All Seasons Chimney. As the best chimney company in the lower Hudson Valley area, your safety is our top priority.