Fire Prevention Week proclaimed at Kirtland AFB

  • Published
  • By Penny Huston
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Col. Robert L. Maness, 377th Air Base Wing commander, signed a proclamation designating Oct. 3 through 9 as Fire Prevention Week at Kirtland AFB.

For the past 88 years, the National Fire Protection Association, has sponsored Fire Protection Week. This year's theme "Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with," educates people on the value of smoke alarms and how best to maintain them.

Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Each year in the U.S., nearly 3,000 people die home fires.

From 2003 to 2006, roughly two-thirds of home-fire deaths occurred when there were no or non-working smoke alarms. No smoke alarms were present in 40 percent of homes where deaths occurred and in 23 percent of homes where deaths occured, smoke alarms were present but did not sound.

"All family housing units at Kirtland Air Force Base have smoke detectors. These detectors are hardwired with battery back-ups," said Teri Beckett, 377th Civil Engineer Division, "and they are interconnected for greater safety."

NFPA and the Kirtland AFB Fire Department agree that interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.

Smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarm systems, should be replaced every 10 years or sooner if needed. Standard 9-volt and regular batteries should be changed each year or when an alarm "chirps," warning of a battery. According to NFPA studies, most people do not change the batteries or the units as required, causing serious gaps in fire detection.

"Most people have a sense of complacency about smoke alarms because they already have one in their homes. Fire Prevention Week provides an excellent opportunity to re-educate people about smoke alarms, new technologies and expanded options for installation and maintenance," says Judy Comoletti, division manager for NFPA public education. "Ultimately, we want this year's campaign to serve as a call to action for households nationwide to inspect their homes to ensure that their families have full smoke alarm protection."

The Kirtland AFB Fire Department suggests the following tips for ensuring smoke alarms are working properly and you know what to do in case of a fire:
· Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound. If you live in base housing and your smoke detectors are not working or require maintenance, call housing maintenance at 266-0079.
· Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.
· Designate two escape routes from each bedroom and from other rooms in the house. Designate a meeting place in case of a fire. Practice escape routes regularly.
· Teach everyone the "Stop, Drop and Roll" technique in case clothing catches fire.
· Avoid storing old mattresses in the home or garage.
· Teach kids that matches, lighters and candles are tools, not toys. If you suspect that a child is playing with fire, check under beds and in closets for telltale signs like burned matches. Store matches and lighters in a secure drawer or cabinet.
· Keep a box of baking soda or pan lid near the stove in case of grease fires. Never use water to douse a grease fire.
· Never leave a candle or open-flame lamp burning when you leave a room, even for a moment. Ensure that flames are extinguished and wicks are cool before leaving.
· If you have home fire extinguishers, check them regularly to ensure they are operational and fully charged.

The Kirtland AFB Fire Department will host activities during Fire Prevention Week to help base residents understand NFPA's smoke alarm recommendations. Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of smoke alarms, newer options for properly installing and maintaining them and ultimately, how to better protect their loved ones from fire.

Call the Fire Department at 853-6093, 853-1313 or 853-1318 for information about other Fire Prevention Week programs and activities.

To learn more about "Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with," visit the NFPA website at www. firepreventionweek.org

The Fire Department will visit the following schools and child development centers from 9:30-11 a.m. as part of Fire Prevention Week at Kirtland AFB:

Sandia Elementary School -- Oct. 5
Maxwell Child Development Center -- Oct. 6
Wherry Elementary School -- Oct. 7
Gibson Child Development Center -- Oct. 8