Fire Prevention Week - Talking Smoke Detectors
On the drive home from work this morning I listened to an interview with a teacher from Southern Maine Community College. The topic was Fire Prevention Week.
I learned two new things during the twelve minute drive:
1. Most children will sleep through the piercing sound of a smoke detector. What will wake them up, however, is the sound of voices… specifically Mom’s voice. I did a quick Google search and found the follow reports:
http://cbs2chicago.com/health/local_story_041170814.html
http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2996185
The gentleman I listened to on the radio didn’t mention a brand name that I recall, but he did stress the importance of recording a helpful message. For example: “Beth wake up! There’s a fire, but we’re going to be okay. Remember our fire drills. Get low and go. Check the door before you open it. Meet me at the mailbox.” The detector being discussed recorded a 15 second message and then sounded the typical smoke detector warning. The great thing is that the message repeats itself.
So if you have younger children this is definitely something to check out!
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2. Many house fires are caused by candles… specifically votive candles. Do me a favor, just do a quick check before you light one up next time. Check to make sure that it is
- Sitting on a noncombustable surface like a tile, glass or ceramic plate or similar surface.
- Not touching anything or that if something gets tipped over it will not fall on to the candle.
- Not reachable by curious children or pets (including wagging tails).
- Extinguished before you leave the room
The home of a man I work with suffered extensive smoke damage because of a candle fire. The inside had to be gutted and precious photos and memorabilia was destroyed. But saddest of all, the families pets died from smoke inhalation. Take a few minutes to be candle smart.
Oh… the new piece of knowledge I got from the interview? Votive candles are especially dangerous because they are so small and so common. As the candle burns down, the wax becomes a puddle in the bottom of the glass holder. Glass conducts heat so if the candle is sitting on top of paper, a wooden surface or other combustable material, the heat from the glass is what actually ignites the surface.
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This week is Fire Prevention Week. Learn more by visiting http://www.nfpa.org/
