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Be smart, don't get burned
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REGIONAL -- Once a child touches a hot stove, as the cliche goes, he learns his lesson -- stay away from a hot stove.
This cliche does not take into account the pain and suffering from burns, and burns should not be part of the learning process.
That's why the Harlan Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Week 2009, October 4-10, to urge local residents to Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned.
This year's campaign focuses on ways to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns. Additionally, fire safety educators will be teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.
The statistics are staggering. Each year roughly 3,000 people die as a result of home fires and burns, and more than 200,000 individuals are seen in the nation's emergency rooms for burn injuries.
"The most common types of burn injuries result from fire or flame burns, scalds and contact burns," said Roger Bissen, Harlan Fire Chief. "Burns are painful and can result in serious scarring and even death. When we take extra caution in our homes to ensure that the curling iron is out of children's reach, or pot handles are turned away from the edge of the stove, such injuries are entirely preventable.
"Keeping our homes safe from fire and preventing devastating burn injuries is a healthy change we can make happen."
By following simple safety rules, you can stay fire smart and prevent burn injuries:
* Keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
* Have a three-foot "kid-free" zone around the stove.
* Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
* Be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, ovens, irons, lamps and heaters.
* Install tamper-resistant receptacles to prevent a child from sticking an object in an outlet.
* Never leave a child alone in a room with a lit candle, portable heater, lit fireplace or stone, or where a hot appliance might be in use.
* Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
* Set your hot water temperature no higher than 120 degrees.
* Install anti-scald valves on shower heads and faucets.
Practice your escape plan
In addition to burn prevention, residents are being asked to once again practice their escape plans.
The NFPA offers the following tips for home fire escape planning:
* Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.
* Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.
* Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm. They may need help waking up.
* If the smoke alarm sounds, go to your closest exit, and if there is smoke on your way out, turn and use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don't take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.
The Harlan Fire Department will be conducting school and pre-school visits with the department's fire trucks throughout the week. The department also will be giving tours of the fire hall to a number of groups consisting of younger, school-aged and pre-school-aged children.
The tours will emphasize the 911 emergency system; the stop, drop and roll and other fire prevention methods; equipment and gear worn by firefighters; the importance of smoke alarms; and not to play with matches, lighters or fire.
The children also will have an opportunity during the visits and tours to get a good look at the fire trucks. The fire department also will be monitoring a number of fire drills and making business inspections during Fire Prevention Week.
The HFD kicks off the week with an open house Sunday, Oct. 4 from 7-11 a.m. at the fire hall. Breakfast will be served for a free will donation.
Fire Prevention Week
The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred October 9, 1871. The tragic conflagration killed 300 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures.
Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years, fire departments have observed the week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.
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©The Harlan Tribune 2009
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