Summer Fire Safety Tips and Statistics from the Winder Fire Department

Before you fire up that grill or light the fuse on some fireworks this summer, it’s always wise to brush up on some fire safety tips.

Just last year, the responded to 1,520 calls, marking a 21 percent increase over the previous year. Of those, 1,097 were medical calls and 40 were structural fires. To help battle these statistics, in 2011 the Winder Fire Department taught more than 300 fire prevention classes, issued 143 burn permits and hosted a Fire Prevention Day in October that welcomed more than 300 guests.

You can help the Winder Fire Department ensure the statistics for 2012 show a decrease over 2011 numbers by following some simple safety guidelines provided by the U.S. Fire Administration. 

• Make sure your home has AT LEAST one working smoke alarm. It’s best to have a smoke alarm on every level of the house and test them regularly. Can everyone hear the alarm from their individual bedrooms?
• Develop and practice an escape plan for all of the members of your household in the event of fire. Remember to teach everyone to crawl low under smoke and to not waste time saving property. In the event of fire, all family members should know they need to leave the home immediately. A call to 9-1-1 can be made from a neighbor’s home. Once out, stay out!
• A startling statistic — 52 percent of all child fire deaths that occur are children under age 5. It’s vital to teach your children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Tell them to report any loose matches or lighters they might find to an adult immediately.
• Most home fires occur in the kitchen. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher close at hand in this area of the house. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
• In 2010, 8,600 people were injured by fireworks across the nation and children under 15 accounted for 40 percent of those injuries. Fireworks also caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires that same year. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. If you do opt to use fireworks at home, exercise extreme caution and don’t allow children to handle fireworks. Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks. Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Put it out with water and dispose of it. Always read directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a device is not marked with the contents, direction and a warning label, do not light it.
• Annually, nearly 5,000 people are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires. Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the tubes where the air and gas mix are not blocked. Do not overfill the propane tank. Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue. Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flash back up into the container and explode. Supervise children around outdoor grills. Dispose of hot coals properly — douse them with plenty of water and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers. Never grill or barbecue in enclosed areas — carbon monoxide could be produced. Make sure everyone knows to “stop, drop and roll” in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.

For more summer fire safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration, click here.

To view Winder’s 2011 Annual Fire Department Report in its entirety, click here.

Don’t forget! There is a through Sept. 30.

Does your family have a fire evacuation plan in place? Do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? Do you know how to use it?  How many smoke alarms are in your home, and when's the last time you tested them? Tell us in comments. 

Check back every Thursday for a new City Spotlight on Winder.