Fire Department preps for Fire Prevention Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover AFB's Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5 through 11 with an open house at the Fire Station Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

This year's campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires: cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials. 

Cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the U.S., according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association. More than 2,500 people died in home fires and 12,500 people were injured in the U.S. in 2006, and fire departments responded to nearly 400,000 home fires, which accounted for 80 percent of civilian deaths and 76 percent of injuries that year. 

"While the number of home fires is daunting, the good news is that many are easily preventable when residents take simple steps to increase their safety from fire," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Stover, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department fire inspector. "There are easy things people can do to keep homes and families safe from fire. 

"Whether it's smoking outside the home, keeping space heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects or keeping an eye on the stovetop when using it," he said. 

Sergeant Stover urges Dover members to prevent home fires by actively participating and educating themselves during Fire Prevention Week, which has been observed for 85 years. 

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that began Oct. 8, 1871. The tragic fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. 

For more information about Dover Air Force Base's Fire Prevention Week, call Tech. Sgt. Steven Stover at 677-4401.

(Some information in this article was obtained from the National Fire Protection Association at http://www.NFPA.org and provided by Tech. Sgt. Steve Stover, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron)

Keep homes safe from fire hazards with the following information to prevent house fires:

· Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
· Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
· Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
· Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays to dispose of tobacco products.