Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2019, the NFPA continues to focus on home fire safety, as the majority of U.S. fire deaths (four out of five) occur at home each year. In fact, the fire death rate (per 1000 home fires reported to the fire department) was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980. “While we’ve made significant progress in preventing home fires from happening, these statistics show that there’s still much more work to do when it comes to teaching people how to protect themselves in the event of one, and why advance planning is so critically important.”
This year’s theme is Not every hero wears a cape Plan and Practice your Escape.
“Why is it important to have a family escape plan?
Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill your home. Fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only a short time to escape.
Fire is HOT! Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. If you inhale this super-hot air, it will scorch your lungs.
Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly makes black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around your home.
Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.”
10/6/1893 a San Francisco, CA firefighter “was killed at the St. Rose’s Academy fire, 1427 Golden Gate Avenue, when he was struck by a line from a hose while on a ladder and was hurled to the ground, receiving a fractured skull.”
10/6/1926 a Lynchburg, VA firefighter “died as a result of injuries caused by a falling chimney during a fire at the corner of Second and Smyth Streets.”
10/6/1956 a Prince George, British Columbia, Canada firefighter “died after being overcome by fumes fighting a fire in a private home at 7th and Winnipeg, at 12:02 a.m.”
10/6/1928 Kimberly-Clark Paper Mill Collapse in Kimberly, WI killed six and injured eighteen after a wall fail near the foundation.
10/6/1923 a submarine chaser ship, SC-340, was destroyed by fire, off St. John, Virgin Islands.
10/6/1906 Philadelphia, PA a natural gas explosion in the Market Street Subway at 6th Street killed eight and injured forty.