October is Fire Prevention Month Published Oct. 14, 2009 By SMSgt. Gary A. Bristol 507th ARW Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma -- In 2007, according to the National Fire Protection Association 2,865 Americans were killed and another 13,600 were injured as a result of fire. Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $7.4 billion. 84% of all fire deaths occurred in residences. December, January and February were the peak months for reported home structure fires and home fire deaths. Kitchens are the leading area of origin for home structure fires. % of reported home fires started in the bedroom. These fires caused 24% of home fire deaths, 21% of home fire injuries, and 15% of the direct property damage. Almost two-thirds (63%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. With these startling statistics in mind, here are some safety tips for you: SMOKE DETECTORS Smoke is responsible for three out of four deaths. * Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas. * Test every detector at least once a month. [See your instruction book for the location of the test button.] * Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year, or sooner if the detector makes a chirping sound. * If you have a smoke detector directly wired into your electrical system, be sure that the little signal light is blinking periodically. This tells you that the alarm is active. * Inexpensive smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS They remain your best bet if you're on the spot when a fire begins. * Fire extinguishers should be mounted in the kitchen, garage, and workshop. * Purchase an ABC type extinguisher for extinguishing all types of fires. * Learn how to use your fire extinguisher before there is an emergency. * Remember, use an extinguisher on small fires only. If there is a large fire, get out immediately and call 911 from another location. When using fire extinguishers remember the acronym - P.A.S.S. * Pull- the safety pin out. * Aim- the nozzle at the base of the fire. * Squeeze- the top lever to activate the extinguisher. * Sweep- from side to side. At Work Fire Safety Checklist * When was my latest fire drill? * Are fire lanes clear in my work center? * What fire hazards are in my workplace? * Where is my nearest fire extinguisher? * Where is the nearest pull station? * How do I call for fire response? KITCHEN Careless cooking is the number one cause of residential fires. Never leave cooking unattended. * It's wise to have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen. Keep it 10 feet away from the stove on the exit side of the kitchen. * Never pour water on a grease fire; turn off the stove and cover the pan with a lid, or close the oven door. * Keep pot handles on the stove pointing to the back, and always watch young children in the kitchen. * Don't store items on the stove top, as they could catch fire. * Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off and disconnect them when not in use. * Don't overload kitchen electrical outlets and don't use appliances with frayed or cracked wires. * Wear tight-fitting clothing when you cook. Here's why: An electrical coil on the stove reaches a temperature of 800 degrees. A gas flame goes over 1,000 degrees. Your dish towel or pot holder can catch fire at 400 degrees. So can your bathrobe, apron, or loose sleeve. * Be sure your stove is not located under a window in which curtains are hanging. * Clean the exhaust hood and duct over the stove regularly. and wipe up spilled grease as soon as the surface of the stove is cool. * Operate your microwave only when there is food in it. "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned."