As this week is observed as National Fire Prevention Week, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) would like to remind Mohawk Valley residents about the importance of fire safety and preparing households and buildings in case of a fire.
“Fires can happen to anyone at anytime, destroying homes and businesses and tragically ruining lives,” Brindisi said. “It is essential that we use this time to raise awareness on fire safety and preventive measures, to help protect our families from tragedies in the future.”
Each year, there are almost 400,000 household fires in the United States. Not only can fires devastate an entire home, they can claim people’s lives. Almost 4,000 people die in a fire every year and another 27,000 are injured. Most fire fatalities are preventable, which is why families should make sure they are prepared for fires before they happen, Brindisi added.
“It is particularly important that we talk about fire safety this coming winter as home heating costs are expected to significantly increase and consumers may seek alternative heating sources to save money,” Brindisi said. “While portable heaters and the use of fireplaces may cut costs, families should make sure these options are used safely and not left on or unsupervised, to avoid a potential fire from spreading.”
Following simple fire safety tips, such as making sure the house is equipped with working smoke alarms, can make all the difference in the event of a fire, Brindisi said.
Other fire safety tips include:
- testing smoke alarms monthly;
- knowing two ways out of every room;
- making and practicing a home escape plan;
- rearranging bedrooms to provide easier escape for children, the elderly or the disabled; and
- avoiding elevators in a fire.
“Firefighters risk their lives to keep our families safe, but it’s our responsibility to take necessary precautions to prevent fires from occurring in the first place,” Brindisi said. “I will work to make sure our firefighters and emergency personnel have the tools they need to keep our families and communities safe.”
For more information about fire safety and prevention, visit www.dhses.ny.gov.
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