According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States in 2015. Just over 500,000 of these were structure fires, causing 2,685 civilian deaths. That’s nearly the death toll from the attacks of September 11, 2001. That is 2,685 too many! These structure fires also caused 13,000 civilian injuries and $10.3 billion in property damage. In addition, accounted for 82 percent of total civilian fire deaths in 2015. House fires are dangerous and lead to the loss of life, health, and property. What is our goal during National Fire Prevention Week? Its to remind our customers and our community how important fire prevention should be in our homes and community!
House Fires Are Common
The same report from NFPA states that in 2015, there was a house structure fire reported every 86 seconds. That is a high number that should come down, but will only do so if we are proactive. In a fire, every second counts! It’s important to make every second worth your survival – and the survival of your family. Fire Prevention Week, an NFPA campaign, is one that educates the public about what to do in the event of a fire. Not only that, but how to best prevent a fire through fire safety, smoke alarm installations, and awareness.
Brickliners Puts Fire Safety First
Since 2005, Brickliners has strived to put safety first in all the homes where we service chimneys and fire heat systems. We adhere to the standards of both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) because it keeps people safe. Our communities are safer when homes are fire-safe. That means we must start by educating the public of the dangers associated with chimney fires, poor fire safety habits, and neglected heat systems. This also includes kitchen appliances and clothes dryers!
What You Can Do October 8-14
During National Fire Prevention Week, there are many community activities you might attend. Fire Departments always welcome visitors, and they will have materials and stickers for your children. If you aren’t sure they will have materials, you can find them here. You can also work with your children’s school teacher to see what type of activities they will do for the week. Other ideas include:
- Checking all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Plan an escape route that includes 2 WAYS OUT.
- Go over house rules for stove, fire, and heater safety.
- Schedule a dryer vent cleaning.
- Schedule a chimney sweep and inspection to lower chimney fire risk.
You never know what might start a fire in your home. Also, unfortunately you can never prevent it 100 percent. However, you CAN prevent death and serious injury by being prepared. Most house fire deaths occur overnight, so start today by beginning a nightly routine. Make sure your fireplace is out. Make sure your dryer, stove, and space heater appliances are switched off. If you have light switches or outlets that buzz, get them checked by an electrician as soon as possible to prevent an electrical fire. These are simple ways to make your family safer!
For questions or concerns about fire safety, call Brickliners to talk to a fire expert. Call 802-872-0123 and ask us about fireplace safety demonstrations.
