Last year there were over 396,000 residential structure fires in the United States, which resulted in 3,140 fatalities and over 14,000 injuries. This problem was especially serious in Louisiana, which had the 5^th highest fire death rate in the nation. This rate was almost twice the national average at 24.3 fire deaths per million residents (the national average was 12.9 and the southern regional rate was 16.9).

 

How can we lower this rate?  Given that 80% of the fires and 87% of the fire-caused fatalities in this country occur in the home, the home is the best place to start.

 

Begin by developing and maintaining a warning system in your home ……

 

               ……  Install a smoke detector in every hallway in your home.

                       A single smoke detector will decrease your chances of dying in a fire by 

                       50%.

                           …... Install a smoke detectors for every bedroom.

               …… Maintain all smoke detectors by testing them monthly and replacing the

                       batteries yearly. This is extremely critical as studies have shown that in

                       a large number of fatal fires, the batteries were missing from the smoke       

                       detectors that would have warned them - possibly allowing them to                   

                       escape.   

               …… For protection from potentially fatal carbon monoxide, install a carbon

                       monoxide detector and place it near your furnace.

 

Then, develop a Fire Escape Plan for your home and family …..

 

               ……  If you have small or handicapped children, decide who will be

                        responsible for helping them evacuate the home.

               ……  Make sure that everyone in the house responds immediately to the  

                        sound of the smoke detector at all times and begins to exit the home.

               ……  Let everyone know  what their primary escape route out of the house is

   from their bedrooms. Draw a diagram of the house, trace the routes and

                        post it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

               ……  Teach your children to feel doors before opening.

               ……  Make sure the children understand the alternate ways out of the

                        house and when they need to be used.                                                                                                               

               ……  Teach your children to crawl low in smoke.

               ……  Decide on a meeting place in front of the home where everyone will

                        meet once they are out of the house. Make sure everyone knows that 

                        once you are out, stay out !!!

 

 

Practice, practice, practice ……

 

              The best plan is of no value unless it is practiced often. Escape plans need

              to be practiced at least 3 times a year, and at least 1 of those drills should

              utilize the alternate exit (the windows).

 

                                       ----------   EDITH SAVES LIVES   ----------

                                                    Exit Drills In The Home

 

 

                           

 

                      If you have any questions or wish additional information

                                    on this topic please call us at (318) 949-9440.

       

                                         “Prevention Through Education”

                                               BPFD1 Public Education