How prepared are you? What would you do in the event of a weather-related emergency or a fire in your home or workplace? September was National Preparedness Month and October is Fire Prevention Month. The Spencerport Fire Department is hoping that people will take time to think about fire safety in their home and workplace and form their own preparedness plan.
Eileen Magin has served as a volunteer with the Spencerport Volunteer Firemen’s Association Ladies Auxiliary since 1960. She serves in many capacities but fire safety education is her passion.
“Statistics show that deaths from fire have dramatically declined, however seven people die each day in United States home fires. People need to be prepared in the event of any emergency,” Eileen said.
She encourages families, senior citizens, couples and those who live alone to think about fire safety in their homes and plan their escape route in the event of a fire.
“You have two to three minutes to escape a home from the time a smoke alarm goes off. Decide upon a meeting place. Practice your fire drill. If a fire occurs, leave the home and wait until the firemen give the clear to enter the home,” she added. “Many people have a perception that their environment is safe, but fire will occur if the right elements come together, such as cooking, smoking and fireplaces and or woodstoves.”
Eileen Magin’s grandson, Lieutenant Richard Timothy Magin, is the Fire Prevention Officer for the Spencerport Fire Department. The Magin family has deep roots in the Spencerport Fire Department.
Like Eileen, he encourages parents to practice fire drills with their children. “The more you practice a fire drill the more it will become second nature. If a fire strikes, you need to get out fast,” Richard Timothy explained.
Prevention is key to safety. Both Eileen and Richard Timothy echo this same message. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms frequently, replace the batteries every six months. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every floor of a home and should be replaced every 10 years. Every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher, which should be checked monthly. New homes are now being built with sprinklers and built-in smoke alarms.
“Sprinklers can contain a fire and save a home.” Eileen said. Richard Timothy explained how a recent fire in Spencerport was confined due to a sprinkler system. “A fire started on a balcony of an apartment and due to the working sprinkler system, the fire damage was limited to the balcony and exterior wall. This sprinkler system saved the apartment and building.”
Weather emergency preparedness means to get ready for a weather-related emergency that calls for a state of emergency. Eileen noted that people should have enough non-perishable food and water for three days in the event of no power.
“Parents should have a discussion with their children – ‘What would we do if we were stranded by a snow storm?’ Develop a plan including phone numbers and be prepared if our area needed to evacuate,” she said.
Ogden Police Chief Christopher Mears explained that the Town of Ogden, which includes the Village of Spencerport, has an emergency response plan in place.
“Our committee meets regularly to review the plan and we have trained for different scenarios. Four years ago when Hurricane Sandy hit, all the municipalities in this area were ready to implement emergency plans. The Red Cross has an agreement with Spencerport Central Schools to utilize the schools as emergency shelters when school is not in session. All the schools are equipped with backup generators,” he explained.
Richard Timothy encourages people to become familiar with what resources are available in the community should homes need to be evacuated. Most importantly, Richard Timothy suggests people to ask themselves, “Am I prepared? If a weather emergency should happen am I prepared financially, physically and psychologically? Do I have a generator, working flashlights and batteries, a gas powered chainsaw and gas and other tools? Do I have the necessities, water, food and a way to safely create heat?”
Interested in learning more about fire safety or emergency preparedness? Visit the National Fire Prevention Association at nfpa.org or the American Red Cross at redcross.org. For more information contact Spencerport Fire Department at 352-6115.
Fire Safety Month was established after the Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed much of this United States city. Over 100,000 people were homeless and 300 lives were lost as a result of this fire that was estimated to have cost $200 million in damages. Soon after this devastating fire Joseph Medill was elected mayor of Chicago and he promised stricter laws regarding construction of new buildings and fire codes.
Fire safety and prevention go hand in hand
October is Fire Prevention Month. Fire safety and prevention go hand in hand.
Some of the most important fire prevention safeguards are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These alarms should be tested every six months and replaced every ten years. Smoke alarms should be placed on every floor of a home including the basement. Every home should be equipped with a fire extinguisher that should be tested every month. Operating a fire extinguisher properly can be a challenge, so practice is key to successful control.
Fire prevention practices encompass a wide range of household and work place practices that include cooking, heating and electrical.
When cooking, make sure that the stove and oven are properly vented. Keep all flammable objects such as potholders and towels away from heat. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you need to leave the area, then turn the stove off. If an oven fire occurs, turn the oven off and keep the oven door closed. If a stovetop fire happens, cover the pan with a lid and remove the pan from the burner. A fire extinguisher should be used to smother a kitchen fire.
Many people use alternative methods in heating their homes and offices such as wood stoves, space heaters and fireplaces. Extra care should always be taken when using other methods. Maintain a three-foot safe zone around the heating source. Keep anything that could catch fire out of this area including children. Never use your oven to heat your home. Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually. Always turn off a space heater when leaving a room or office. Wood stoves should be installed as per the manufacturers’ specifications.
Candles can be a fire hazard and should be monitored closely. Blow out candles when leaving the room and avoid using candles in bedrooms and other areas where people fall asleep. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
Think about using flameless candles in your home. Always use flashlights if the power is out.
Parents should teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in the event of a fire. Practice fire drills and have a meeting place outside the home. Children should know how to call 911 and understand how to give necessary information such as the home address and family member names. All family members should know the stop, drop and roll method if clothing catches fire. Stop, drop to the ground and roll until the flames extinguish.
For more fire safety and prevention information, contact the Spencerport Fire Department at 352-6115.
