Abington Township Fire Department Hosts Fire Prevention Open Houses

The Abington Fire Department (ATFD) has found an exciting way to combine both fire prevention tips and fun for the whole community with an entire week of Open Houses.

Between October 9 and 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., an Open House is scheduled at each of the ATFD’s five fire companies– Abington, McKinley, Roslyn, Weldon and Edge Hill.
The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, October 9: Abington Fire Company, 1920 Horace Ave.
• Tuesday, October 10: McKinley Fire Company, 893 Jenkintown Rd.
• Wednesday, October 11: Roslyn Fire Company, 1128 Bradfield Rd.
• Thursday, October 12: Weldon Fire Company, 412 N. Easton Rd.
• Friday, October 13: Edge Hill Fire Company, 2843 Limekiln Pike

The evenings will consist of hands-on demonstrations, fire truck tours, giveaways, safety tips and a chance to meet local firefighters. Community members will have the chance to tour the stations while partaking in exciting activities and enjoying tasty snacks.

The Open Houses will give interested community members the opportunity to learn about various volunteer opportunities, in both emergency and non-emergency roles. Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer, and training and gear are provided at no cost.

“The Abington Fire Department is always seeking opportunities to connect with the community and get the word out about the various volunteer opportunities,” said Tom McAneny, Director of Fire and Emergency Services for ATFD.

The Open House schedule coincides with Fire Prevention Week, an annual awareness initiative of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This year’s theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU,” is intended to educate the public about the simple, yet important, actions one can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking.

Cooking Fire Statistics and Fire Prevention Tips

Cooking is the leading cause of household fires in the U.S. by a landslide, accounting for 49% of all home fires.

According to NFPA, stovetops account for roughly 60% of reported home fires involving cooking equipment, with ovens accounting for 13%. Unattended cooking is a contributing factor in 31% of home fires related to cooking equipment, 53% of the associated deaths and 44% of the associated injuries.

More than half of civilians injured in home fires involving cooking equipment were hurt while attempting to put out the fire themselves. These data points indicate that there is still a significant amount of work to be done to properly educate the public on safe cooking practices.

The NFPA provides these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:
● Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
● Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
● Have a “kids-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

Are you interested in volunteering and helping serve your community? No experience is necessary to join and equipment will be provided free of cost. You can join as a volunteer firefighter, or on the administrative side where you can assist at community events and help with fundraising efforts. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with ATFD, visit: www.AbingtonFD.org