The Owensboro Fire Department is urging residents to be prepared for home fires, particularly by having working smoke detectors and a plan for people to evacuate their homes.
Battalion Chief Steve Leonard spoke Tuesday with Owensboro City Commissioners about fire safety as part of Fire Prevention Week. Leonard said Wednesday that prevention dramatically reduces the likelihood of a fire death and helps firefighters fight fires more effectively.
“We don’t have the authority to test single-family homes,” he said. “The only tool we have is life safety education – to spread the message that you need to have working smoke detectors and a plan of action.”
On average, 3,500 people die in home fires in the United States each year. About 135 firefighters die fighting house fires annually, Leonard said.
Leonard said 88% of the fires are in single-family homes. A working smoke alarm greatly increases the likelihood of escaping a fire.
“Studies have shown that you can’t get out of a single family home in two to four minutes,” Leonard said. “If you have a working smoke detector in every room, you have a 90 percent chance of escaping. If you have one on each floor, you have a 50% chance of escaping.
“If you don’t have smoke detectors, there’s a 90 percent chance you’ll die in the fire.”
OFD has a program where people who cannot afford a smoke detector can get one from the department for free. The department will also install the smoke detector.
Leonard said firefighters are helping older residents change their smoke alarm batteries. Batteries need to be checked once a month and replaced at least annually, Leonard said.
Most smoke alarms are affordable and good as long as they have the Underwriters Laboratory seal, Leonard said.
“If you’re just buying smoke alarms, they’re $10 a piece,” he said.
Smoke alarms older than 10 years should be replaced because dust makes them less effective and because technology is constantly improving, Leonard said.
Families must also have escape plans that include two routes out of the home and a designated meeting point.
“Typically, if you’re in a house and can’t get out the door, a window is your best bet,” Leonard said. Small children need to know how to open windows in case of fire.
A designated gathering area will help firefighters, Leonard said.
“The first thing we’re going to ask is if everyone is out of structure,” Leonard said. When all are accounted for, firefighters can focus on putting out the fire rather than conducting a search and rescue.
Anyone who needs a smoke alarm or needs help installing a smoke alarm can call OFD at 270-687-8408. Leonard said local groups wanting fire safety training can also call.
“When you lose 3,500 people in home fires and 135 firefighters (nationally) every year, that’s certainly a hazard that we have to deal with,” he said.
RC IRK
