Nov 18, 2008

Unplug the Outlet, Shut Off the Stove:
A Plea for Home Fire Prevention
By Jim Blanks

I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to fire safety, I am woefully negligent. On two occasions I have nearly burned down my kitchen. I light candles and leave the house. I plug sixty-five electronic items into a single outlet, never once considering that this could result in a devastating blaze.

I understand the risks in a theoretical sense: “Hey, that’s a lot of plugs to put in one outlet, hope there’s not a short.” Or “Wow, almost burned my face off trying to cook that chicken. That could’ve been a real disaster.” I, like many people, think of a fire as something that happens on television, to other people, but not to me, not to my loved ones.
This is an attitude that needs to be changed. After all, I am very much aware of the threat of home invasion (I lock my doors even when I’m home), of theft (I never forget to set the car alarm). I’m great at keeping danger out of my home, but what about the dangers that already exist within the home? 

According to the Visalia Fire Department website, I am not alone. “The public does not appreciate the magnitude of the fire problem in the home or the importance of doing its share to reduce fires in the home.” The result of home fires is very real, however. On average, 5,300 people die a year from fire; another 29,000 are injured, and property losses total over $9 billion. 
So what can be done to prevent home fires? Having a working smoke detector is a good start. When working properly, smoke detectors allow early fire detection and allow homeowners to extinguish small fires before they burn out of control. Fire Marshal Charlie Norman of the Visalia Fire Department reminds us that having a smoke detector is only valuable if it works properly. “You need to remember to change the batteries in the smoke detector,” he says.
Chief Norman also recommends clearing any dry brush from around the house as it can easily catch fire and affect the rest of the house. “Most of our advice for homeowners is seasonal. In the summer, keep the yards free of dry brush and debris. In the winter, be careful when using space heaters and never use your oven as a heater.”
With winter fast approaching and temperatures beginning to drop, many people will use space heaters to keep warm. But, remember a few things: Keep space heaters away from blankets and curtains, turn off space heaters before you go to bed, and never use space heaters to dry your clothing. These sound simple, and even though people probably know all of these tips many people don’t follow them. Portable space heaters are the leading cause of fire deaths from home heating equipment.
Another heating option during the winter months is having a fire in the fireplace. This too can be dangerous. Fireplaces and chimneys are the biggest cause of home heating equipment fires, mostly because people neglect to take a few easy steps. A service person should inspect the chimney once a year before it is used; also, never use lighter fluid to start a fire and don’t burn cardboard or trash in the fireplace—they can easily cause a chimney fire. 
Again, these are helpful tips that many of us already know; the important part is the execution.
One of the biggest causes of home fire in any season, Chief Norman says, is electrical equipment. “Sometimes you’ll have faulty wiring running through the house, but a lot of the time it’s having too many things plugged into an outlet.”
I can certainly identify with this situation. After all, it doesn’t seem dangerous. There is an open outlet, I have something to plug in, why not use the outlet? And if I run out of space, just hook up an extension cord, give myself three more outlets. “Best case scenario,” Chief Norman says, “you blow a fuse and all your equipment stops. Worst case scenario …” Worst case scenario, I join the list of statistics.
Unfortunately, this behavior seems to be an extension of a general attitude (that I too have shared): That fire isn’t really that big of a deal. Even if I start a fire, I can just put it out, no problem. But what happens if you can’t immediately put out the fire? A fire doubles in size every minute; within five minutes it can completely involve your house; within ten to fifteen minutes your house can be destroyed. That’s all it takes, fifteen minutes; by the time I finish writing this article my house could be destroyed. By the time you finish reading this article, it might be too late. 
Both the Visalia and Tulare Fire Departments urge people to take fire seriously. Test and maintain smoke detectors in the home; develop and practice an escape plan with family members. Essentially, be prepared. Visalia and Tulare Fire Departments offer home inspections upon request, and recently the Tulare Fire Department was awarded a grant from FEMA for additional smoke detectors as part of an effort to increase fire safety knowledge and prevention within the community.
Both fire departments use presentations in schools to educate young children about fire safety. And the children are listening. “My daughter reminds me to change the smoke detector batteries,” Chief Norman says. “My 6-year-old son told me the other day that we need to practice our emergency plan.” 
I remember the fire presentations of my own youth; I listened, too. But somehow as I grew older the message became softer. My 6-year-old self would be ashamed to see me now. He would say, “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you want to care about being safe? Do you even have an emergency plan?” And what would I tell him? I’m sorry? I’ll do better in the future? 
That’s what I have to do; it’s what we all need to do. I’ve already unplugged the overworked outlet. I’m creating an emergency plan. The 6 year old in me demands it. And after that, what comes next? What’s your next step? Take it.