Fire Prevention
Home fire prevention
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire - the two-day blaze that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 more homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings October 8-9, 1871.
That tragedy inspired reform across America, spurring new fire safety codes and public awareness campaigns. Each October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsors a fire prevention campaign to highlight the importance of fire safety education. This year's campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of smoke alarms and encourages everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection.
In support of National Fire Prevention Week, October 3 - 9 is also Oregon Fire Prevention Week. The Governor and State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson encourage Oregonians to take the necessary steps to update and maintain their home smoke alarms.
The Office of State Fire Marshal and its Oregon Life Safety Team, along with fire agencies statewide are teaming up in support of this month’s national fire prevention campaign, Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with!, reinforcing the message that fire safety starts at home. Everyone needs to remember that fire safety starts at home,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. “Having working smoke alarms and testing and maintaining them regularly is one of the single best things you can do to keep your family safe.”
In 2009, in Oregon there were 2,379 fires in one- & two-family dwellings resulting in nine deaths, 172 injuries, and more than $59 million in property loss.
Working smoke alarms provide an early warning to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape and increase your chance of surviving a fire. Additional safety tips:
- To ensure maximum protection, install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement
- Replace smoke alarms 10 years old or older
- Hard-wired alarms (those wired directly into home electrical systems) should have battery back-ups
- Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses
- Make a home escape plan and practice it
- If your smoke alarm sounds, immediately go outside and stay out. Meet at a safe place and call 9-1-1
- If you need assistance with smoke alarms, contact your local fire agency
For more smoke alarm and fire safety information, contact your local fire agency or visit oregon.gov.
For more information on fire safety and fire prevention week, contact your local fire agency or visit Oregon State Fire Marshal's website.