| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 1, 1999 |
Contact: Bill
Teets at (614) 644-7187 |
IS THE THEME FOR
FIRE PREVENTION
WEEK (OCTOBER 3-9, 1999)
1999 National
Fire Prevention Week is slated for October 3-9th. This
year's theme is "The Great Escape…Having a Home Fire Escape Plan."
"In 1998,
Ohioans experienced 13,836 residential fires killing 111 people, injuring 871 more and
causing $128,063,894 in property damage," said Gary Suhadolnik, Director of the Ohio
Department of Commerce. "The number of
injuries and deaths would be significantly decreased if more families had and practiced a
home fire escape plan, and had working smoke detectors present on every floor.”
Know Two Ways
Out/Home Fire Escape Drill
State Fire
Marshal Robert R. Rielage recommends that Ohioans take the following precautions to ensure
the safety of their homes and families. Whether
you are at home or at work, it is vital that you know two ways out of every room. Chances are that, during a fire, one of your
potential exits may be blocked or impassable, limiting your means of egress. Knowing two ways out and being able to make a
quick, decisive response are often what makes the difference between life and death in a
fire.
Every household
in Ohio should practice the Home Fire Escape Drill. If
a fire should occur, this drill can help you and your family escape. The Home Fire Escape Drill is designed to help
families practice their two chosen escape routes out of the house if a fire should occur. Planning and practicing two escape routes -- one
normal route through hallways and stairways; and an alternative route through windows or
onto the roof -- will help save the lives of you and your family.
Smoke Detectors
Working smoke
detectors can alert you to a fire in your home in time to escape harm, even if you are
sleeping. Install smoke detectors on every
level of your home, including the basement, and outside of each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install one
inside your sleeping area as well.
(more)
Test detectors
every month, following the manufacturer's directions and replace batteries once a year or
whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's
battery for another use --a disabled detector cannot save your life. Replace detectors that are more than 10 years
old; and for complete protection, consider installing automatic fire sprinklers in
addition to smoke detectors.
According to
Marshal Rielage, firefighters surprisingly find that, although many smoke detectors retail
for less than $10, they are often not present in homes or are not operational. In residential fires reported to Rielage’s
office, smoke detectors were not present nearly 26% of the time. In 15% of the fires, a smoke detector was present
but did not operate.
"We hope to
continually illustrate to the public the grave importance of installing and maintaining
smoke detectors," said Marshal Rielage. "The
facts speak clearly: working smoke detectors save lives.
They also double individuals’ chances of escaping a nighttime fire. I encourage all Ohioans to ensure that their smoke
detectors are properly placed, regularly tested and maintained. By taking the time to test them monthly, you may
save your life, the lives of your family members and your property if fire ever breaks out
in your home."
# # #
The Division of
State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Fire Marshal's Office trains firefighters,
enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions,
provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services. Other Commerce divisions enforce regulations
regarding industrial compliance, financial institutions, liquor control, real estate,
securities, auctioneers, unclaimed funds, and private investigators, among others. The department's internet address is www.state.oh.us/commerce
NOTE TO EDITOR: During Fire
Prevention Week, we will be sending out a packet of releases which will provide fire facts
on a variety of fire prevention and fire safety topics.
These releases can be used as daily graphics or stories.
Director Suhadolnik and Fire Marshal Rielage will be available for radio, tv, and print interviews on the subject.
[Commerce Home Page] [Commerce News Releases] [State of Ohio Front Page]
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Information believed accurate but not guaranteed. The State of Ohio
disclaims liability for any errors or omissions.