Every October fire advocates recognize National Fire Prevention Week. During this time, homeowners are urged to check out their homes, service fire alarms, and look to prevent fire hazards that often coincide with the holidays and the onset of cold winter weather.
According to officials with the National Safety Council (NSC), there were more than 3,000 unintentional deaths that happened as a result of fires in the country in 2010.
Our Queens injury attorneys understand the risks for household fires increase as the temps decrease. You’re more likely to experience a fire in your home during the winter months than during any other time out of the year. That’s why NSC officials are stepping forward with important safety precautions that you should take to protect your home and protect your family.
Landlords and property managers also have an obligation to ensure the safety of tenants and invited guests. Antiquated facilities and blocked fire exits can spell disaster in the event of a fire emergency.
The truth of the matter is that it only takes a few minutes for a fire to heat up a home to temps of more than 1,500 degrees. When these flames run wild, they released carbon monoxide gases which can quickly overwhelm a family. In other cases, poorly vented furnaces or heaters can cause carbon monoxide risks of their own. Residents are urged to get carbon monoxide detectors in their home as well.
Fire Prevention and Safety Tips:
-Make sure that you test out your home’s smoke alarms periodically. You should do this at least once a month. Check/replace the batteries every time you do this.
-Make sure that there are fire extinguishers in your home.
-There should be a smoke alarm in each bedroom in your home and at least one on every floor. Make sure everyone in your home can operate the smoke detectors.
-Make sure that everyone in your home can hear the fire alarms from all rooms. Consider getting them all hooked together, to communicate with one another so they all go off when one senses a fire.
-Never leave food or anything left cooking on the stove or elsewhere in the kitchen unattended.
-Never leave candles unattended.
-Know the number to your local fire department. Keep this number posted around the house and near phones.
-Make sure that everyone in your home can operate a fire extinguisher.
-Make a family escape plan and practice it at least once a month. Make sure your fire escape plan includes making sure your young family members get out safely.
If you live in an apartment complex, make sure your facility has a fire escape plan. Talk with your neighbors about theirs. When you live in an apartment complex, you and your neighbors impact each other’s risks for these dangers. When an apartment endures a fire, the risks for neighbors’ apartments catching on fire is likely. This is why it’s important to make sure that everyone is on the same page and understands the need for fire safety precautions and escape plans.
If you or someone in your family has been injured or killed in an accident, contact personal injury attorney Nicholas Rose to set up a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. Call 1-877-313-ROSE (7673) today!
More Blog Entries:
Government Cash Aims to Improve Road Safety in New York , New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 10, 2012
Summer Child Injury Risks in New York, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 5, 2012
