Autumn is a favorite time of year for many people – the feeling of crisp air and the crackling of leaves under your shoes, the smell of wood burning from outdoor firepits, the beautiful colors of the trees and the plumes of smoke flying from chimney tops.  Fire is an essential part of our lives.  We cannot do without it, but we must stop unwanted fires that can destroy our buildings, lives and jobs. Unfortunately, due to human carelessness, the smoke and crackling can sometimes come from often preventable and destructive fires.

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and 20,000 are injured.  An overwhelming number of fires occur in the home or outside in the yards.  It is a time to practice fire safety.  There are “time-tested” ways to prevent and survive a fire. It isn’t a question of luck, but a matter of communicating and planning ahead. Those enjoying the pleasures of the outdoors and the woods are often careless with campfires, matches and cigarettes.  Be careful when sitting around a campfire.  One in every six burn related injuries to children 0-14 is a flame burn. Keep children away from access to matches and lighters. Older children are most likely to receive burns as a result of misusing flammable liquids and aerosol cans. The falling leaves at this time of year bring out homeowners who burn piles of yard debris. The falling temperatures encourage home owners to fire up furnaces, heaters and fireplaces to keep warm.

Unfortunately, with the current recession, many of those consumers are going to be looking for ways to save on those heating costs and may trade safety for savings.  When the wonders of the season become the terrors of uncontrolled fire, seconds count.  During an emergency you may panic, so you and your family must know the best and safest ways to get out. Practice escape routes in the event of fires in different parts of the home.  If children, the elderly or disabled live with you, special plans must be made for their safety – practice often.  The escape plan is only effective if you talk about it with your family and use it.  In many cases, these family members will need help and direction to escape. Without practice, even the best plan will be of little help in an emergency and also reveals any misunderstandings and problems in the escape plans.  Practice helps everyone in the home know and remember what to do when emergencies happen.

Take notice from previous victims of disaster.  Things can be replaced.  People cannot.  Hard as it may be, focus on getting people out and calling for help – 911 as soon as possible. One of the most common mementos people try to save is the photo album.  Consider copying all your favorite photos onto computer storage.  This should also be done with important papers.  Store these copies in a safety deposit box.  Even if the originals are destroyed, they can be recreated.

Not all fires can be prevented but many, if not most, can.  Make your home fire safe.

• Remove fallen leaves and debris from around the house and outbuildings.  When planting next to structures, use plants that do not dry or burn easily.
• If you must burn leaves and debris outside, follow your localities rules for outside burning.  Be particularly mindful of drought conditions, wind and humidity. Be aware of trees and structures close enough to catch flying embers. ALWAYS have a working hose within reach of the burn and NEVER leave an outside fire unattended.
• Do a fire inspection inside the home.  Many fire departments and organizations like NIFAST (The National Institute for Fire and Safety Training) will help identify potential problems.
• Check all heating systems.  This should be done by a professional.
• Make sure chimneys, flues, fireplaces and wood stoves are in safe working order.  Have furnaces routinely checked and maintained.  Never put ashes from a fireplace or woodstove on the ground or in a flammable container unless they are cold.
• Keep indoor heaters and other heat sources away from all other objects.  There should be 3 feet or more clear area around each heat source.  Heaters should have automatic shut offs in the event the unit is tipped over.  These heaters should not be used while you are sleeping.
• Do NOT use anything but approved heaters for warming your home.  Stoves, ovens, and grills are not for use inside.
• Emergency generators should be outside the home.  Each year, hundreds of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning or from fires stared by improper use of this equipment.
• Many items can be heat sources for a fire.  Lamps, especially halogen, should be away from clothes, drapes and curtains.  Clean the lint from around your dryer to prevent fire.
• All electrical cords should be checked for knotting or fraying.  Discard damaged cords.
• Exercise caution with candles, matches, lighters, stoves, and small appliances.  Children, pets and these items do not mix.
• Have at least one smoke and carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher on each floor of your home.  Smoke detectors should be outside each sleeping area, kitchen and any area containing a heat source such as fireplace or wood stove.  Check all detectors monthly and change batteries no less than twice a year.
• A fire extinguisher should be within easy access of the kitchen, fireplace or wood stove and garage or workshop.  Check extinguishers twice yearly.
• Your home is a place of refuge and enjoyment.  Paying attention to and correcting potential fire hazards can keep it that way.

Never take the attitude that fires won’t happen or any building or home is “fireproof”. Do what you can to prevent fires, but always be prepared by knowing what actions to take if one occurs.

Good teamwork is a must with you and your family.  To prevent fires we must all work together!

For more information about Home Fire Prevention, please contact: The U.S. Fire Administration. Visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov