Willi FD urges fire prevention

National Fire Prevention Week is heating up locally this week, as Willimantic Fire Department officials are reminding people to stay safe and check their homes for fire hazards.

National Fire Prevention Week, which came into existence after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, started Sunday and lasts through Saturday, with this year’s theme being: “Stay Fire Smart – Don’t Get Burned.”

Willimantic Fire Chief Ronald Palmer Sr. said this week is a “good reminder” for people to check their homes and make sure they have procedures in place in case of fire.

“Make sure they have an exit plan,” Palmer said regarding one key step. He added people should also free up their home of clutter or hazards.

Palmer also reminded residents that when they turn their clocks back Nov. 1 to make sure they change the battery in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Palmer sent out a release on the week. He said preventing home fires should be a top priority.

“Taking time to inspect your home for clutter, check smoke detectors, heating units, escape plans, and just some general fire safety tip is everyone’s job,” the release said. “Please during this week, stop and check your home.”

Palmer reminded residents the local fire marshal and fire department are always available to help answer any questions.

He also offered some safety questions for residents to address:

- Are smoke detectors working and in place? Check them every month.

- Is there a home escape plan and has it been practiced within the past sixmonths?

- Are the cleaning units in the home cleaned and serviced?  Is the chimney safe to use?

Safety tips included:

- Cooking fires are a major cause of home fires – never leave them unattended.

- Candles are also a major cause of fires and residents should make sure they are not close to combustibles and are on a sturdy, nonflammable holder. Citizens should also keep children and pets away from them.

- Supplemental heating devices if used, should be maintained in accordance with manufactures recommendations. Keep combustibles clear and at least three feet away.

- Residents should remove clutter and unused material from their home.
With changing the batteries in the smoke detectors, Palmer sent out a release with statistics on smoke detectors.

In all, 83 percent of all civilian fire-related deaths are a result of home fires and, on average, home fires kill 540 children ages 14 and under each year, the release said.

“An early warning can provide critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms double your family’s chance of getting out of a home fire alive – but only if they work.”