The following is a message from State Rep. Paul Muxlow:
October is here, and it brings with it many things that catch our attention. The weather is cooler, the fall foliage arrives and Halloween decorations crop up everywhere.
October also is Fire Safety Month. It is a time when we should be aware of the increased possibility of house fires as we begin to use furnaces and fireplaces on cooler evenings.
In the event of a fire, every second counts. Escape plans can help your family evacuate a home quickly and safely.
The Home Safety Council recommends the following in establishing a fire escape plan:
· Know how to get out fast if there is a fire;
· Find two ways out of every room -- the door and maybe the window. You might need an escape ladder to get out of upstairs bedroom windows;
· Children and older people will need help escaping a fire, so plan for this by knowing who will need help and choose someone to help them;
· Make sure windows and doors open easily, and be sure everyone can reach and open locks on doors and windows;
· Make sure stairs and doorways are never blocked;
· Practice your plan with your family at least twice a year, including once when everyone else is asleep;
· Have a place to meet in front of your house, far enough away from the house to be safe;
· Get out and stay out. Never go back into a burning building.
To avoid a fire in the first place, or allow quick notification of a fire, smoke detectors should be placed in every level in the house. They should be placed near all sleeping areas, and in the basement.
Test alarms at least monthly to make sure they are working properly, and replace the batteries once a year. A good reminder time is when we turn our clocks back in the fall.
Never disable smoke alarms, even temporarily, because you might forget to replace the battery. For best detection and notification, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage.
Another way to prevent house fires is to clean clothes dryer vents regularly. You should clean your lint filter every load after the drying cycle is complete. Clean the exhaust vent with a good quality dryer vent brush at least twice a year.
Using this two-pronged approach will make surviving a house fire more likely and let your family sleep soundly knowing they are well-protected.
*All above information provided by Rep. Paul Muxlow
