Protect Your Family From Fire!

pbPLEASE VISIT US THIS YEAR DURING HAWTHORNE DAY ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 2011br br bWhatrsquos the best way to protect your family from fire Be ahead of the game of course. With more than 360000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009 according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association NFPA your best defense is a good offense. Thatrsquos why The Hawthorne Fire Department is teaming up with NFPA during the October 9-15 2011 to let our community know ldquoItrsquos Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Firerdquo This yearrsquos campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires — cooking heating and electrical equipment as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.br br In 2009 2565 people died in home fires. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed.nbspFire is a dangerous opponent but by anticipating the hazards you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13000 people injured in home fires each year.br br The Hawthorne Fire Department offers the following tips for protecting your home and family from firebnbspbpul stylemargin-top 0in typedisc li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptStay in the kitchen while you are frying grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time turn off the stove.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptKeep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment like the furnace fireplace wood stove or portable space heater.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptHave a three-foot ldquokid-free zonerdquo around open fires and space heaters.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptReplace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptIf you smoke smoke outside.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptUse deep wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptBlow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.liuldiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptWhile preventing home fires in Hawthorne is our job we still need your help. Hawthornersquos residents need to provide the best protection to keep their homes and families safe in the event of a fire. This can be achieved by developing an escape plan which you practice regularly and equipping homes with life-saving technologies like smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers.br br The following tips will help keep your family safe if there is a fire in your homedivul stylemargin-top 0in typedisc li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptInstall smoke alarms inside each bedroom outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptInterconnect all smoke alarms in the home so when one sounds they all sound.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptTest smoke alarms at least monthly and replace all smoke alarms when they are 7 years old or sooner if they do not respond when tested.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptMake sure everyone in your home knows how to respond if the smoke alarm sounds.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptPull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible ways out. nbspHouseholds with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home marking two ways out of each room including windows and doors.li li stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptIf you are building or remodeling your home consider installing home fire sprinklers.br br To learn more about ldquoItrsquos Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Firerdquo visit NFPArsquos website at a hrefhttpwww.firepreventionweek.orgfont color800080www.firepreventionweek.orgfonta.liul