For years, the second week of October has been known as Fire Prevention Week.
President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance in 1922, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country.
Destyni Jones
During this week both adults and children learn how to stay safe in case of a fire in different environments. Firefighters often provide tips and education on how to prepare for fires during this week in order to decrease the number of casualties in a fire.
According to the American Red Cross, here are some of the best ways to prepare for a possible fire:
- Install the right amount of smoke alarms and test them monthly.
- Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear them.
- Create a safety plan and ensure that everyone in the household knows at least two ways out of each room if a fire occurs.
- Establish a family emergency communication plan.
- Have emergency fire drills at least twice a year.
- Make sure everyone in the household knows how to contact 911.
- Teach everyone in your household the importance of stop, drop and roll.
Remember that fires have many causes and never work the same way. Weather, location, and the burning material can all affect the way a fire burns.
According to Britt Burgmeier, the director of Jennings County 911, fire departments in the county were dispatched to 2,937 calls in 2022, of which 220 were for reported fires.
Destyni Jones is a student at Jennings County High School. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
