Fire Prevention Week 2015
Fire Department Open House is Oct. 11
As we enter the autumn months, the evenings become cooler, and the outside world changes from shades of green to an array of orange, red and brown. The dynamics of life change as children return to school, whether it is kindergarten or college.
We are drawn to sporting events, hay rides and haunted houses. We can start to see the holidays approaching. It can be an exciting and invigorating time of year.
For the Fire Service, fall serves as a reminder of our obligation and mission to keep our communities safe. October is Fire Prevention Month across the nation. As a profession, we reflect on the past year, recognizing where we have made progress and identifying the work and challenges that still lie ahead.
Each year, Fire Prevention Month brings a theme. This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.” Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Violet Township Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-11, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom of the home and testing them monthly.
Three out of five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. According to NFPA statistics, half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when people are most likely to be sleeping. Having a working smoke alarm in the home cuts the risk of dying in a fire in half.
The following messages about smoke alarms still ring true:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
- Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
- Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the “test” button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old, or sooner if they do not respond properly.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
Education will continue to be one of our best allies in efforts to combat the dangers of fire. To aid in this mission, the Violet Township Fire Department will be hosting its annual Open House on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1-3 p.m. at Station 592, 8700 Refugee Rd. The day will feature:
- A Fire Safety House that permits children to escape from a non-hazardous, smoke-filled environment, allowing them to learn how to get out of their home in case of fire;
- Demonstrations on how to crawl under smoke;
- Fire extinguisher inspection and service;
- Fire gear for kids to wear for pictures; and
- A real fire hose kids can use to spray water.
There will be a host of fun, kid-friendly educational activities for the entire family. Please join us for this community event.
Violet Township Fire Department Open House
Sunday, October 11, 2015
1-3 p.m.
Violet Township Station 592
8700 Refugee Rd.
Pickerington, Ohio 43147
