Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9. The Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department is working to educate the public about this year’s Fire Prevention Week™ campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” This campaign works to educate everyone about the different sounds the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe. When an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action.
Open houses will take place at each of the Fire Stations, which includes a variety of educational hands-on activities for all ages and allows you to see the equipment and talk to the Fire/EMS personnel about fire safety. And, the kids will have the chance to use the fire hoses. The firefighters will be handing out plastic fire helmets, stickers and coloring books for the kids.
Tuesday, Oct. 5
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fire Station 38, 10225 NW 62nd Avenue, Johnston
Thursday, Oct. 7
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fire Station 39, 6373 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Saturday, Oct. 9
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fire Station 37, 200 S. James, Grimes
Every year, the majority of fire deaths in North America happen at home. Today’s home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.
Please review the following safety messages from the National Fire Protection Association:
Home Fire Escape Planning
- Home fire escape planning and drills are an essential part of fire safety. A home fire escape plan needs to be developed and practiced before a fire strikes.
- A home escape plan should include the following:
- Two exits from every room in the home – usually a door and a window
- Properly installed and working smoke alarms
- A meeting place outside, in front of the home, where everyone will meet after they exit
- A call to 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone
Smoke Alarms
- Smoke alarms detect and alert people to a fire in the early stages. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.
- Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.
- Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
- Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
Cooking
- Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove-top.
Heating
- Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months.
- Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
- All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from heating equipment.
- Have a 3-foot (1-meter) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
- Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
- Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
Fire Prevention Week resources:
Fire Prevention Checklist (PDF)
Smoke Alarms (PDF)
Escape Planning Tips (PDF)
Kids Coloring Sheet