Time to Plan Fire Prevention

Fire drills at local school buildings were part of observing National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15, however Deputy Chief Randy Gabel said it is beneficial to focus on fire prevention steps during the entire month of October as an annual ritual.

Gabel said this year, local firefighters who assisted with the post-tornado recovery work in Joplin, MO, were newly inspired about emergency preparedness ideas.

He said it is important for everyone to truly envision how they will handle fires wherever they live and work. "Through the past few decades, the frequency and intensity of fires has gradually decreased, due to people becoming more aware of how to avoid fires and to better constructed buildings. We've come from having no fire alarms, though, to having the tools and plans that can save more lives."

When is the last time we've all checked fire extinguishers in our homes?

Gabel said many fire extinguishers have a five-year shelf life. Extinguisher gauges should show that they are in the green, indicating they have enough compressed air to do the job.

He said it is a good idea to shake extinguishers once or twice a year as well.

As a general rule of thumb, Gabel recommends replacing extinguishers every 10 years. "When you need extinguishers to work, you want to be able to grab them with confidence and know that they will," he said.

Gabel recommends that everyone consider taking Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. During the class, participants learn how to fight simulated fires and various scenarios, among other self-preservation techniques.

Smoke detector day is fast approaching for the first Saturday in November, so he said it is also time to get and install fresh batteries in them — or to decide if more detectors are warranted for various areas.

He also said seeing what Joplin tornado survivors went through after fires made them all revisit just how important it is to have radios, batteries and enough food for survival. "October is a great time to get survivor kits ready for each home or place of business, before winter drives us all more inside. Joplin reminded us how critical it is to be self-sufficient."